Symptom Management

Dyspnea is the feeling of breathlessness. An estimated 55-70% of patients near the end of life experience shortness of breath. It's a distressing symptom and needs to be treated promptly. Find out how you can help manage dyspnea.

Definition and discussion of the death rattle at the end of life.

Nausea is an unpleasant feeling in the stomach that may or may not be followed by vomiting. Vomiting is the sudden, forceful expulsion of the stomach contents which may or may not be preceded by nausea.

Tips for treating anxiety in dying patients.

Constipation is a common symptom for patients with chronic and terminal illnesses. Find out what it is and what causes it.

Constipation is a common symptom for patients near the end of life. Constipation has a significant impact on quality of life and prevention and prompt treatment are essential. Find out how to prevent and treat constipation in palliative care and hospice patients.

The use of medicinal marijuana is increasing but smoking pot may not always be a healthy choice. What is the healthiest way to use medical marijuana?

Learn about why many seriously ill patients itch, and how you can treat their itching.

Delirium and terminal restlessness are distressing symptoms in dying patients. Learn how to help manage delirium and terminal restlessness.

Delirium and terminal restlessness are distressing symptoms that may occur in dying patients. Find out what they are, how to recognize them, and how you can help manage them.

Tips to recognize and treat sundowning or sundowners syndrome.

What is the hospice comfort kit?

Loss of appetite and weight loss are common with many life-threatening illnesses. Find out why and how you can help...

Seven tips and tricks to stimulating an appetite that has been diminished by illness and one reason they may not work.

Sexual intimacy during a serious illness may be intimidating. With so much going on and so many things to worry about, intimacy may take a back seat.

Overcoming barriers to sexual intimacy during an incurable illness.

The debate over marijuana as a form of medicine is heating up as 13 states have now adopted medical marijuana laws. There are a lot of questions surrounding the issue and not enough answers. Here, we'll look at some of the most commonly asked questions about medical marijuana and the FDA approved synthetic form of Delta-9-THC, Marinol.

Readers share how they feel about medical marijuana.

A discussion of the pros and cons of both smoked medical marijuana and Marinol, a synthetic form of THC.

User reviews of medical marijuana vaporizers. See submissions

My doctor prescribed me Marinol, or dronabinol, to increase my appetite. I’ve heard it’s the same as medical marijuana. What’s the deal?

A list of the pros and cons in the debate over medical marijuana.

A list of potential uses for medical marijuana.

How to recognize and treat a marijuana allergy.

Interactive tool with infomation provided by Harvard Medical School. This tool covers over 100 common symptoms and guides users through a decision tree to determine possible causes and appropriate actions.

Tools to provide help and guidance to patients and their caregivers regarding symptom management.