Neurological disorders

Leukemia and lymphoma are two different forms of cancer that originate in the blood system and lymph nodes respectively. Leukemia can be acute or chronic and starts in blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow. Lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, which helps the body to fight infection. It can be of two types namely: Hodgkin’s and Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Leukemia and Lymphoma are different forms of cancer but have similar symptoms and line of treatment. In fact the treatment side effects and palliative care is also same for both these cancers. They also involve the spread of abnormal, cancerous cells by either entering the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

• Fatigue or low energy
• Cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal
• Bleeding from minor wounds
• Frequent nose bleeds
• Fevers
• Night sweats
• Frequent infections that are hard to fight
• Unexplained weight loss
• Achy bones and joints
• Depression and anxiety

Palliative care is given to patients of serious illness to manage their symptoms. It is not curative treatment that would work to cure the disease. But palliative care will give relief to the patient from symptoms that the disease or its treatment is causing. It is provided by a team of specialists, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers who work with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support.

Although palliative care can be given at any age and at any stage of illness but ideally, it should be started as soon as the patient is diagnosed with ALS and be continued throughout the entire course of illness and treatment. It gives best results when given along with curative treatment.

• Act like first line of defence against any symptoms of pain, discomfort, depression or anxiety
• Improve quality of life for both the patient and the family
• Give more control to the patient by improving his understanding of the choices of treatment available and other complex medical information
• Match patient treatment options to his personal needs and goals
• Sort out all medical questions and practical concerns, as well as help in making tough choices that lie ahead
• Suggest aggressive palliative approaches for aggressive medical treatments like chemotherapy that can cause a variety of side-effects like nausea and vomiting, hair loss, fatigue etc.
• Deal with complications like weight loss, bleeding and infection
• Teach patients and parents on how to discuss this serious disease

• Provides relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness
• Reduces a lot of patient physical, mental and social suffering
• Provides in-depth communication between patient, physician and family to match treatment options with goals
• Improves overall care coordination
• Strengthen the patient independently carry on with daily life
• Improves patient ability to tolerate medical treatments
• Helps patient to better cope with the challenges of leukemia or lymphoma
• Improves patient tolerance to the side effects of leukemia and lymphoma treatment

Neurological and neurosurgical patients like post stroke, post road traffic accident (RTA), quadriplegic patients , patients on ventilator and many of these similar kind of patients can be benefited with the patient centered care and approach of our team.
Patients with neurological ailment or post surgery too have palliative care needs. Palliative Care addresses mental health and spiritual needs.
Palliative care provides relief through symptom and pain management to a person with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness.