The management of chronic oedema in palliative care.
Chronic oedema is a broad term used to describe a range of conditions which may cause oedema in the limbs, trunk, head, neck and genitals. Lymphoedema is one type of chronic oedema. The problems associated with chronic oedema can be devastating and this is of particular importance for patients in the palliative phase of their disease. Community nurses have an important role to play in providing palliative care and helping to alleviate the troublesome symptoms these patients may experience. There are a range of treatments which may assist the patient; some of which require the skills of a specialist but, many of which, can be administered by a community nurse. The management of one particular aspect of chronic oedema is examined, namely lymphoedema caused by advanced cancer.
Honnor
Amanda
A
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010166:Palliative Care