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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Best Treatment For Severe Dehydration?

What is the best treatment for severe dehydration if the person gags and spits up the slightest sips of liquids? My 89 year old father-in-law, has been in hospice for two weeks and intravenous fluids are not part of hospice. He says he wants to die, but watching him suffer the nausea (when he wants to eat and drink) is heartbreaking.
Mon, 9 Nov 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern for your father-in-law.
Dehydration could only be treated with replacement of adequate quantities of fluids either orally or Parenteral route (Intra-venous route).
Since he is unable to consume anything orally, there is no other choice but to give total parenteral nutrition as well as correct his dehydration by intra-venous route only.
However, in the meantime, once he is out of this acute phase, his nausea and vomiting could be controlled by drugs and is possible to restore feeding through oral route. Till then, there is no other choice.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
Take care and hope for the best.
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What Is The Best Treatment For Severe Dehydration?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern for your father-in-law. Dehydration could only be treated with replacement of adequate quantities of fluids either orally or Parenteral route (Intra-venous route). Since he is unable to consume anything orally, there is no other choice but to give total parenteral nutrition as well as correct his dehydration by intra-venous route only. However, in the meantime, once he is out of this acute phase, his nausea and vomiting could be controlled by drugs and is possible to restore feeding through oral route. Till then, there is no other choice. Hope the information provided would be helpful. Take care and hope for the best.