Palliative medicine - alternative therapies

Dr. rer. nat. Daniela Oesterle is a molecular biologist, human geneticist and trained medical editor. As a freelance journalist, she writes texts on health topics for experts and laypeople and edits specialist scientific articles by doctors in German and English. She is responsible for the publication of certified advanced training courses for medical professionals for a renowned publishing house.

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Anyone who is diagnosed with an incurable disease usually gets into a mental emergency and fears a painful last phase of life. Many of those affected and their relatives then want to leave no stone unturned. How can alternative, gentle treatments help to alleviate your symptoms?

Medical care in the case of an incurable, progressive disease is an enormous challenge for medical professionals, relatives and, above all, those affected. The task of specialists is to provide comprehensive information about the disease and treatment options and to observe ethical limits in therapy. On the other hand, fear and fainting break in on those affected - especially with diseases that suddenly come into life, such as incurable tumor diseases. In addition, the sometimes severe side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy put a strain on both the body and the psyche and raise doubts about classic procedures and the skills of the treating physician. It is therefore understandable that those affected - often also relatives - actively search for alternative forms of therapy.

Combination of conventional and alternative medicine

Strictly speaking, the term "alternative therapy" means turning away from conventional medicine altogether. Since there is scientifically proven evidence of the effectiveness of treatments such as chemotherapy, not using them can pose health risks. But the majority of those affected do not turn away - they want to take an active role and use alternative therapy options in addition to conventional medicine. This form of treatment is called complementary.

In contrast to conventional medical therapies, the effectiveness of complementary treatments is often insufficiently scientifically proven. However, many years of good experience speak in favor of their use. In order to get the best possible benefit from classical and complementary medicine, it is essential to talk to a specialist. As a rule, he is not only familiar with conventional medicine, but also with complementary treatment methods and their benefits and risks.

Because although complementary procedures are part of the so-called gentle treatments, dangerous side effects are sometimes possible. If you want to try complementary therapy, you should talk to your treating doctor about it and work out a combined treatment concept with him.

Relieve symptoms with complementary therapies

In palliative medicine, the respective therapy is essentially geared towards the terminally ill; the focus is on the patient. Regardless of whether the last phase of life comes due to the patient's old age or a disease such as cancer - the most common complaints include exhaustion, nausea and vomiting, inflammation of the oral mucosa, dry mouth, weight loss and pain.

A combination of conventional medical and complementary forms of treatment can be useful. Below are some complementary methods that those affected can use individually. As risks cannot be ruled out, it is important to speak to a specialist beforehand.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Acupuncture, a branch of TCM, helps against pain, sleep disorders or nausea and vomiting. Qigong, tai chi or acupressure also improve the quality of life, depending on the condition of the dying person.
  
  
• Phytotherapy: Some medicinal plants have a positive effect on inflamed oral mucous membranes, stimulate the appetite or help against weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleep disorders, and depression. Others, on the other hand, weaken the effect of anti-cancer drugs and are risky, for example St. John's wort.
  
  
• Mistletoe therapy: The infusion of mistletoe preparations is often used as a cancer drug, although an anti-cancer effect has not yet been sufficiently proven. However, the therapy is well tolerated and can reduce cancer-related pain, improve mood and general well-being.
  
  
• Dietary supplements: vitamins or minerals use on the one hand, but can also cause damage on the other. Selenium, for example, helps against inflamed oral mucous membranes, zinc against wounds, and fluorine against dental caries. In contrast, high-dose selenium is suspected of increasing the risk of cancer. Caution should also be exercised with vitamins. High doses of vitamin C, for example, can have a negative impact on cancer therapies and thus shorten life expectancy.
  
  
• Homeopathy: This therapy according to Samuel Hahnemann is gaining increasing acceptance, especially in pain therapy. However, according to the teaching, healing is not possible.
  
  
• Ayurveda: Ayurvedic treatments, for example oil massages, nutrition or herbal preparations, help to strengthen the body and spirit.
  
  
• Aromatherapy: Essential oils serve as fragrances, are applied to the skin or absorbed via inhalation. They stimulate olfactory perception and have a calming effect.
  
  
• Exercise therapy: Exercise helps against exhaustion, a lack of appetite, muscle breakdown, depression or a lack of drive. Depending on the type of cancer, therapy for cancer patients should be combined with the right diet (for example in the case of gastrointestinal cancer) or paused (for example during radiation or chemotherapy for operated gynecological tumors).
  
  
• Laughter therapy: Laughter as a therapy can open up reserves of strength, promote emotional and mental abilities and possibly reduce pain. Even without scientifically substantiated evidence, humor is also very healthy in the palliative phase.
  
  
• Art and music therapy: Creativity calms fears and emotions. Music, especially favorite music, is perceived by the dying for a very long time and improves the mental state.
  
  
• Occupational and logotherapy: With the help of these therapies, mental and motor reserves can be promoted. The exercises also help against swallowing disorders, an altered sense of taste or malnutrition.
  
  
• Touch therapy: caressing the skin, changing body position regularly, massages or objects in the patient's hands promote the dying person's wellbeing.

Beware of promises of salvation

Occasionally, alternative therapies or preparations are offered that promise a complete cure or a drastic improvement in advanced diseases. In addition, if conventional medical treatment is presented as ineffective and advised against, caution is advised. Let your specialist advise you if you would like to receive complementary treatment.

Take away the fear of dying

It is also part of the palliative care doctor's task to inform the patient when conventional medical treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy or long-term ventilation no longer make sense. Medication or gentle therapies then help to alleviate symptoms such as pain or anxiety. Finally the senses of feeling, seeing, hearing and smelling remain. Gentle stroking, beloved paintings or photographs in sight, pleasant music and natural room scents create a dignified framework for dying, which is just as much a part of life as birth.

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