Management of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Palliative Care

Abstract

The population in the UK is ageing, with increasing proportions living beyond 65 years of age. The epidemiology of diseases is shifting to more people dying of chronic as opposed to acute illnesses. It has been predicted that the number of people dying each year in the UK will rise by 17% in the next 20 years. Thus, there will be a rapidly increasing demand for provision of palliative care in the future. Much of this care will continue to be provided by the GP. This article specifically discusses the management of gastrointestinal symptoms in palliative care.