Many people hesitate when they hear that their loved ones need to be put under morphine treatment. There are many misconceptions about morphine, but it is important to learn the truth about morphine to avoid further misunderstandings. Many loved ones hesitate or refuse the use of morphine and its value in hospice care. There are many misconceptions and concerns about its use. It is important to learn about morphine and its benefits to better care for your loved one.
Common Concerns About Morphine
Concern #1: Morphine Is Only for End-Of-Life Care. Morphine is a powerful pain medication used at any stage of hospice care. It is often used to manage pain that is not responding to other less potent pain medications. Morphine can be administered orally which avoids additional pain and complications from injection like inflammation and infection.
Concern #2: Morphine Always Causes Drowsiness. One of the most common side effects of morphine is drowsiness. This can occur because the drug slows down the central nervous system. However, while morphine can cause drowsiness, this side effect is not always experienced. The degree of drowsiness will vary from person to person and can also be affected by other medications that the person is taking. Drowsiness may cause drowsiness. While true in some cases, it causes the patient to relax and better rest. End of life illnesses can cause stresses as well as an uneasiness that causes the patient to not be as comfortable as they need to be. Morphine handled in accordance with the proper standard and instructions will cause the patient to relax and bring peace to the family and loved ones.
Concern #3: Morphine Is Addictive. Morphine is a powerful pain reliever that can be used to treat a variety of conditions. While it is a potent medication, it is not addictive for pain relief. This means that people who take morphine for pain relief will not experience withdrawal symptoms when the medication is discontinued. Although morphine is a powerful drug that has been abused by many in the past decades, this gives a common misconception of its use. Morphine use in hospice care is carefully measured to bring pain relief and comfort for the patient. It is an end-of-life care that brings peace and comfort for the patient and does not cause the passing of the patient nor addictive qualities.
Concern #4: Morphine Always Causes Constipation. While constipation is a common side effect of morphine, there are ways to manage it. With the help of other medications and lifestyle changes, constipation doesn’t have to be a problem.There are a few things that can contribute to constipation when taking morphine. The pain medication can slow down the digestive system, and it can also cause dehydration. These two things can make it difficult for the body to have a regular bowel movement. Proper management of the use of morphine can cause constipation. However, there are ways in which it can be managed properly. Other medications and lifestyle changes can cause one to not have constipation.
Concern #5: Morphine Will Stop the Patient From Breathing. Morphine can cause respiratory depression, but this is not always the case. When respiratory depression occurs, the body’s breathing rate slows down or stops altogether. This can lead to oxygen deprivation and eventually passing. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or treat respiratory depression caused by morphine. The dose of the drug can be adjusted to help prevent this side effect. In some cases, other medications can also be added to help counteract the respiratory depression caused by morphine and provide relief from pain and other symptoms and can improve the quality of life in these patients. Many people at the end of life have a difficulty in breathing, such as labored, anxious and or erratic breathing causing discomfort and the appearance of painfulness. Morphine will in most cases relax the patient and ease the breathing to a calming state, bringing comfort and a normal breathing pattern for someone at the end-of-life. Again, the morphine is given according to the prescribed doses to help regulate them, their breathing and pain relief.
Let Golden Rule Hospice Care For Your Loved One
Morphine is still one of the most commonly used drugs for hospice care. It is safe and effective when used as directed. There are many concerns surrounding the use of morphine in hospice care, but the reality is that it is a safe and effective medication that can help patients achieve a peaceful and comfortable final year of their lives. Are you looking for hospice care in Atlanta? We at Golden Rule Hospice provide home hospice services so that your loved ones can get the care they need in the comfort of their own home. Call us (470) 395-6567 to learn more about our services. In addition to Atlanta, we are also licensed in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Lumpkin, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, and Walton counties.
We live by the Golden Rule
Treat others the way you would like to be treated.