Glossary

Our glossary explains some of the medical and legal terms used in palliative care.

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Columbarium

A wall or other structure designed to hold urns containing cremated remains.

Columbarium

A wall or other structure designed to hold urns containing cremated remains.

Constipation

A condition of the digestive system resulting in bowel movements that are less frequent than normal. Stool is hard, dry and difficult to pass. Normal frequency varies greatly among people, but a person should have a bowel movement at least every three days.

Constipation

A condition of the digestive system resulting in bowel movements that are less frequent than normal. Stool is hard, dry and difficult to pass. Normal frequency varies greatly among people, but a person should have a bowel movement at least every three days.

Death rattle

A gurgling or rattling noise produced when air passes over pooled secretions in the throat of a person who is unconscious or too weak to clear secretions on his or her own.

Death rattle

A gurgling or rattling noise produced when air passes over pooled secretions in the throat of a person who is unconscious or too weak to clear secretions on his or her own.

Dehydration

A drop in the body’s fluid level below what’s needed for normal body functioning. It results from decreased fluid intake and/or excessive loss of water from diarrhea, vomiting or sweating.

Dehydration

A drop in the body’s fluid level below what’s needed for normal body functioning. It results from decreased fluid intake and/or excessive loss of water from diarrhea, vomiting or sweating.

Delirium

A sudden change in how the brain functions that results in poor memory, sleep disturbances, disorientation, decreased attention, and changes in perception such as hallucinations. Can develop over hours or days.

Delirium

A sudden change in how the brain functions that results in poor memory, sleep disturbances, disorientation, decreased attention, and changes in perception such as hallucinations. Can develop over hours or days.