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{{short description|Medical treatment that only affects a condition's symptoms}} |
{{short description|Medical treatment that only affects a condition's symptoms}}{{Refimprove|date=February 2024}} |
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'''Symptomatic treatment''', |
'''Symptomatic treatment''', supportive care, supportive therapy, or [[Palliative sedation|palliative]] treatment is any [[medical therapy]] of a [[disease]] that only affects its [[symptom]]s, not the [[Etiology|underlying cause]]. It is usually aimed at reducing the signs and symptoms for the comfort and well-being of the patient, but it also may be useful in reducing organic consequences and [[sequela]]e of these signs and symptoms of the disease. In many diseases, even in those whose etiologies are known (e.g., most [[viral disease]]s, such as [[influenza]] and [[Rift Valley fever]]), symptomatic treatment is the only treatment available so far. |
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For more detail, see [[Therapy#Supportive therapy|supportive therapy]]. For conditions like [[cancer]], arthritis, [[neuropathy]], [[tendinopathy]], and injury, it can be useful to distinguish treatments that are supportive/palliative and cannot alter the natural history of the disease ([[disease modifying treatments]]). |
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== Examples == |
== Examples == |
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Examples of symptomatic treatments: |
Examples of symptomatic treatments: |
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* [[Analgesic]]s, to reduce [[pain]] |
* [[Analgesic]]s, to reduce [[pain]] |
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* [[Anti-inflammatory]] agents, for [[inflammation]] caused by [[arthritis]] |
* [[Anti-inflammatory]] agents, for [[inflammation]] caused by [[arthritis]] |
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* [[Antitussive]]s, for [[cough]] |
* [[Antitussive]]s, for [[cough]] |
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* [[Antihistaminic]]s (also known as [[ |
* [[Antihistaminic]]s (also known as [[antihistamine]]s), for [[allergy]] |
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* [[Antipyretic]]s, for [[fever]] |
* [[Antipyretic]]s, for [[fever]] |
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* [[Enema]]s for [[constipation]] |
* [[Enema]]s for [[constipation]] |
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*Treatments that reduce unwanted [[ |
* Treatments that reduce unwanted [[side effect]]s from drugs<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms|title=NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms|date=2011-02-02|website=National Cancer Institute|language=en|access-date=2020-03-24}}</ref> |
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== Uses == |
== Uses == |
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When the [[etiology]] (the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition) for the disease is known, then specific treatment may be instituted, but it is generally associated with symptomatic treatment, as well. When the etiology is unknown, then symptomatic treatment may be the only realistic option.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tomasovic |first=William H. Reid; George U. Balis; James S. Wicoff; Jerry J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jnt0DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Symptomatic+treatment%22&pg=PT109 |title=The Treatment Of Psychiatric Disorders |date=2018-10-24 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-83926-2 |language=en |quote=Symptomatic treatment may be the only therapeutic approach available in those instances in which etiologic diagnosis is lacking.}}</ref> Symptomatic treatments are often used to manage side effects, such as [[Withdrawal syndrome|drug withdrawal syndromes]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Zun |first1=Leslie S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MB8SEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Symptomatic+treatment%22&pg=PA80 |title=Behavioral Emergencies for Healthcare Providers |last2=Nordstrom |first2=Kimberly |last3=Wilson |first3=Michael P. |date=2021-01-04 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-52520-0 |pages=80 |language=en}}</ref> |
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When the [[etiology]] (the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition) for the disease is known, then specific treatment may be instituted, but it is generally associated with symptomatic treatment, as well. |
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Symptomatic treatment is not always recommended, and in fact, it may be dangerous, because it may mask the presence of an underlying etiology which will then be forgotten or treated with great delay. Examples: |
Symptomatic treatment is not always recommended, and in fact, it may be dangerous, because it may mask the presence of an underlying etiology which will then be forgotten or treated with great delay. Examples: |
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* Low-grade [[fever]] for 15 days or more is sometimes the only symptom of [[bacteremia]] by [[staphylococcus]] bacteria. Suppressing it by symptomatic treatment will hide the disease from effective diagnosis and treatment with [[antibiotics]]. The consequence may be severe ([[rheumatic fever]], [[nephritis]], [[endocarditis]], etc.) |
* Low-grade [[fever]] for 15 days or more is sometimes the only symptom of [[bacteremia]] by [[staphylococcus]] bacteria. Suppressing it by symptomatic treatment will hide the disease from effective diagnosis and treatment with [[antibiotics]]. The consequence may be severe ([[rheumatic fever]], [[nephritis]], [[endocarditis]], etc.) |
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* Chronic [[headache]] may be caused simply by a constitutional disposition or be the result of a [[brain tumor]] or a [[brain aneurysm]]. |
* Chronic [[headache]] may be caused simply by a constitutional disposition or be the result of a [[brain tumor]] or a [[brain aneurysm]]. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Palliative care]] – program of supportive care for people with serious illnesses |
* [[Palliative care]] – program of supportive care for people with serious illnesses |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Symptomatic Treatment}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Symptomatic Treatment}} |
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[[Category:Medical treatments]] |
[[Category:Medical treatments]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:19, 27 August 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
Symptomatic treatment, supportive care, supportive therapy, or palliative treatment is any medical therapy of a disease that only affects its symptoms, not the underlying cause. It is usually aimed at reducing the signs and symptoms for the comfort and well-being of the patient, but it also may be useful in reducing organic consequences and sequelae of these signs and symptoms of the disease. In many diseases, even in those whose etiologies are known (e.g., most viral diseases, such as influenza and Rift Valley fever), symptomatic treatment is the only treatment available so far.
For more detail, see supportive therapy. For conditions like cancer, arthritis, neuropathy, tendinopathy, and injury, it can be useful to distinguish treatments that are supportive/palliative and cannot alter the natural history of the disease (disease modifying treatments).
Examples
[edit]Examples of symptomatic treatments:
- Analgesics, to reduce pain
- Anti-inflammatory agents, for inflammation caused by arthritis
- Antitussives, for cough
- Antihistaminics (also known as antihistamines), for allergy
- Antipyretics, for fever
- Enemas for constipation
- Treatments that reduce unwanted side effects from drugs[1]
Uses
[edit]When the etiology (the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition) for the disease is known, then specific treatment may be instituted, but it is generally associated with symptomatic treatment, as well. When the etiology is unknown, then symptomatic treatment may be the only realistic option.[2] Symptomatic treatments are often used to manage side effects, such as drug withdrawal syndromes.[3]
Symptomatic treatment is not always recommended, and in fact, it may be dangerous, because it may mask the presence of an underlying etiology which will then be forgotten or treated with great delay. Examples:
- Low-grade fever for 15 days or more is sometimes the only symptom of bacteremia by staphylococcus bacteria. Suppressing it by symptomatic treatment will hide the disease from effective diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics. The consequence may be severe (rheumatic fever, nephritis, endocarditis, etc.)
- Chronic headache may be caused simply by a constitutional disposition or be the result of a brain tumor or a brain aneurysm.
Finally, symptomatic treatment is not exempt from adverse effects, and may be a cause of iatrogenic consequences (i.e., ill effects caused by the treatment itself), such as allergic reactions, stomach bleeding, central nervous system effects (nausea, dizziness, etc.).
See also
[edit]- Palliative care – program of supportive care for people with serious illnesses
References
[edit]- ^ "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms". National Cancer Institute. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ Tomasovic, William H. Reid; George U. Balis; James S. Wicoff; Jerry J. (2018-10-24). The Treatment Of Psychiatric Disorders. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-83926-2.
Symptomatic treatment may be the only therapeutic approach available in those instances in which etiologic diagnosis is lacking.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Zun, Leslie S.; Nordstrom, Kimberly; Wilson, Michael P. (2021-01-04). Behavioral Emergencies for Healthcare Providers. Springer Nature. p. 80. ISBN 978-3-030-52520-0.
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