PALLIATIVE Meaning and
Definition
-
Palliative is an adjective that refers to a type of medical care or treatment that aims to provide relief from the symptoms and side effects of a disease or condition, rather than curing or eliminating it. It is derived from the Latin word "palliare," which means to cloak or cover.
In the medical field, palliative care focuses on improving the patient's quality of life by managing pain, discomfort, and other distressing symptoms associated with serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or chronic conditions. This approach is often employed when curative treatment options or disease-modifying interventions are no longer possible or desired.
The principles underlying palliative care extend beyond physical relief and encompass emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial support for patients and their families. This holistic approach aims to alleviate suffering and enhance well-being, promoting a sense of dignity and respect throughout the course of a life-limiting illness.
Palliative interventions commonly involve the use of medications to manage pain, as well as other therapies such as physical therapy, counseling, and relaxation techniques. The goal is to provide comfort and alleviate suffering, allowing individuals to maintain independence, engage in meaningful activities, and make informed decisions about their care.
It is important to note that palliative care can be provided in conjunction with curative treatments and does not exclude the possibility of seeking further medical interventions. The ultimate focus remains on providing supportive care to improve the overall quality of life for individuals and their loved ones facing serious illness.
-
Mitigating, reducing the severity of; noting a method of treatment of a disease or of its symptoms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
-
• Serving to soften or lessen by favourable representations; mitigating.
• That which extenuates or mitigates.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PALLIATIVE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PALLIATIVE
Etymology of PALLIATIVE
The word "palliative" is derived from the Latin adjective "palliativus", which stems from the verb "palliare", meaning "to cloak" or "to cover". It is related to the Latin noun "pallium", which referred to a cloak or a covering garment. In English, the term "palliative" was first used in the early 17th century to describe something that alleviates or relieves symptoms without addressing the underlying cause. It went on to be associated primarily with medical care aimed at easing pain or discomfort in patients with serious illnesses or conditions.
Similar spelling word for PALLIATIVE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
