Palliative
Adjective
Definition: Relieving or soothing without curing; alleviating or reducing symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of a condition.
Synonyms: Soothing, Relieving, Comforting, Alleviating
Antonyms: Curative, Therapeutic, Remedial
- The doctor prescribed palliative care to ease the patient's pain during the final stages of their illness.
- Palliative medications were administered to provide relief from the symptoms of the disease.
- Think of "palliative" as "palliating" or "lessening" the discomfort or distress experienced by a patient.
Etymology:
The word "palliative" is derived from the Latin word "palliare," meaning "to cloak" or "to cover." It entered the English language in the early 16th century with the meaning "to alleviate pain."
Historical Usage:Throughout history, palliative care has played an essential role in providing comfort to individuals with serious illnesses or in the end stages of life. The concept of palliation has been mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Hippocratic Corpus, demonstrating its longstanding significance in medical practice.
Related Idioms:
"Palliative measure"
Explanation:Refers to a temporary or interim solution or action taken to relieve symptoms or provide comfort, without addressing the root cause or providing permanent resolution.
Misconceptions:
Assuming that palliative care is solely focused on end-of-life care.
Explanation:While palliative care is often associated with end-of-life care, it is not exclusively limited to it. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and is aimed at improving the quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It can be provided alongside curative treatments or as the primary focus of care.