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[Nausea, vomiting and constipation in palliative care]
Marit S Jordhøy1, Nina Aass, Rune Svensen
1Enhet for kreft og lindrende behandling, Nordlandssykehuset, 8092 Bodø. marit.jordhoy@nlsh.no
Summary
Managing nausea, vomiting, and constipation in advanced illness requires individualized care. Effective treatment involves assessing causes, combining medications with non-pharmacological methods, and regular follow-up for palliative patients.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Symptom Management
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Nausea/vomiting and constipation are prevalent symptoms in advanced disease patients.
- These symptoms significantly impact quality of life in patients with short survival expectancies.
Purpose:
- To review the etiology, diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of nausea/vomiting and constipation in palliative care.
- To provide evidence-based guidelines for managing these common symptoms.
Summary:
- Treatment requires impeccable assessment, understanding underlying causes, and integrating pharmacological with non-pharmacological approaches.
- Metoclopramide or haloperidol are first-line for nausea/vomiting; adequate hydration is crucial.
- Constipation management includes prophylaxis, stool softeners, and bowel stimulants, especially with opioid use.
Impact:
- Provides a framework for optimizing symptom control in advanced illness.
- Aims to improve patient comfort and quality of life during palliative care.
- Highlights the importance of proactive and tailored management strategies for gastrointestinal symptoms.