Symptom Relief for the Dying Patient By Elizabeth L Cobbs, MD, George Washington University; Karen Blackstone, MD, George Washington University; Joanne Lynn, MD, MA, MS, Altarum Institute Reviewed / Revised Oct 2021 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Pain Dyspnea Anorexia Nausea and Vomiting Constipation Pressure Injuries Delirium and Confusion Depression and Suicide Stress and Grief Physical, psychologic, emotional, and spiritual distress is common among patients living with fatal illness, and patients commonly fear protracted and unrelieved suffering.