All patients with medical illness should be made as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other distressing symptoms. This is a fundamental goal of palliative care. Common symptoms that can be successfully managed include: Pain Shortness of Breath Fatigue Dry Mouth Appetite Loss Gastrointestinial Symptoms Skin Problems Anxiety Depression Confusion

Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City ©2005 Continuum Health Partners, Inc. www.stoppain.org/palliative_care