Glossary

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

Browse terms by letter:

C

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting caused by the body’s inability to use nutrients from food.

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting caused by the body’s inability to use nutrients from food.

Chemotherapy

A treatment that uses medications to damage cancer cells, to stop them from growing and dividing. Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, pain and hair loss.

Chemotherapy

A treatment that uses medications to damage cancer cells, to stop them from growing and dividing. Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, pain and hair loss.

Chest compressions

Repeated, rhythmic pressure on the chest of someone whose heart has stopped beating. The repeated pressure helps keep blood circulating in the body.

Chest compressions

Repeated, rhythmic pressure on the chest of someone whose heart has stopped beating. The repeated pressure helps keep blood circulating in the body.

Cheyne-Stokes

Clusters of rapid breathing that start with shallow breaths that become deeper and deeper, and then fade off, becoming shallower and shallower. Each cluster is separated by a pause in breathing.

Cheyne-Stokes

Clusters of rapid breathing that start with shallow breaths that become deeper and deeper, and then fade off, becoming shallower and shallower. Each cluster is separated by a pause in breathing.

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.