Palliative Care for People with Respiratory Disease or Critical Illness

When you have a serious illness, you may suffer from physical discomfort, such as pain, difficulty breathing, nausea (stomach upset) or fatigue. You may also have feelings of psychological distress, such as anxiety or depression, or feelings of spiritual distress. Your healthcare providers may provide medical therapies to treat or manage your illness, for example, antibiotics to treat pneumonia. In addition, you may receive care that helps you feel more comfortable, but does not treat or cure your illness. This type of care is called "comfort" or palliative (PAL-lee-uh-tiv) care.