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How Long Can We Survive Without Drinking Water?
My 94 year old mother-in-law has been in a nursing home for about a year after she fell and broke her leg. She cannot walk and is on morphine pills, so she sleeps most of the day. Lately, the nurses are saying that she eats her food (which is pureed), but doesn't drink any liquids. How long can this go on without drinking??
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 5 Sep 2014
Answered on
Fri, 5 Sep 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello,
This is Dr. Klarida Papaqako answering your question.
Fluids are a very essential part of keeping our body energetic and active, since around 60% of our body is made from fluid.
This amount gets lower with age, lower when the metabolism is slower and when the physical activity is low. When the body needs fluids, the brain activates thirst. so unless a person have problems with swallowing or problems with the center of brain that control thirst, the body of every person should be able to take the amount of fluids that his body needs.
If I was her caring doctor, would not worry about this in your mother-in-law.
I would also make sure she is taking liquid foods, that she likes to eat, with enough proteins; when she does not sleep encourage her to be active and entertained for as much as its possible, and make sure she is not in a depression state; multivitamins may help her with appetite; sometimes having a bottle of water, or a juice she used to like, near her bed and on her reach, may stimulate her to drink more.
Hope this information helps.
Regards.
This is Dr. Klarida Papaqako answering your question.
Fluids are a very essential part of keeping our body energetic and active, since around 60% of our body is made from fluid.
This amount gets lower with age, lower when the metabolism is slower and when the physical activity is low. When the body needs fluids, the brain activates thirst. so unless a person have problems with swallowing or problems with the center of brain that control thirst, the body of every person should be able to take the amount of fluids that his body needs.
If I was her caring doctor, would not worry about this in your mother-in-law.
I would also make sure she is taking liquid foods, that she likes to eat, with enough proteins; when she does not sleep encourage her to be active and entertained for as much as its possible, and make sure she is not in a depression state; multivitamins may help her with appetite; sometimes having a bottle of water, or a juice she used to like, near her bed and on her reach, may stimulate her to drink more.
Hope this information helps.
Regards.
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