Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Palliative Advanced Illness Management
  • Symptom Management
Content

Palliative Care - Fluid, Food, And Digestion

Alternative Names

Constipation - palliative care; End of life - digestion; Hospice - digestion

Palliative Care

Palliative care is a holistic approach to care that focuses on treating pain and symptoms and improving quality of life in people with serious illnesses.

Open Article Detail

When Your Body Has Problems Handling Fluids and Food

It is normal for a person who has a very serious illness or who is dying not to feel like eating. Body systems that manage fluids and food may change at this time. They can slow and fail. Also, medicine that treats pain can cause dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass.

You may experience any of the following:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Trouble chewing, caused by mouth or tooth pain, mouth sores, or a stiff or painful jaw
  • Constipation, which is fewer bowel movements than usual or hard stools
  • Nausea or vomiting

What You Can Do to Feel Better

Fluids:

  • Sip water at least every 2 hours while awake.
  • Fluids can be given by mouth, through a feeding tube, an IV (a tube that goes into a vein), or through a needle that goes under the skin (subcutaneous).
  • Keep your mouth moist with ice chips, a sponge, or oral swabs made for this purpose.
  • Talk to someone on your health care team about what happens if there is too much or too little fluid in the body. Decide together whether you need more fluids than you are taking in.

Food:

  • Cut food into small pieces and chew slowly.
  • Blend or mash foods so they don't need to be chewed much.
  • Eat food that is soft and smooth, like soup, yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
  • Drink shakes or smoothies.
  • If you have nausea, try dry, salty foods and clear liquids.

Digestion:

  • Write down the times when you have bowel movements.
  • Sip water or juice at least every 2 hours while awake.
  • Eat fruit, especially prunes.
  • If possible, walk more.
  • When you try to have a bowel movement, sit on a toilet, commode, or bedpan.
  • Talk to someone on your health care team about stool softeners or laxatives.

When to Call the Doctor

Call a member of your health care team if you have nausea, constipation, or pain that cannot be managed.

References

Baracos VE. What therapeutic strategies are effective in improving anorexia and weight loss in nonmalignant disease? In: Goldstein NE, Morrison RS, eds. Evidence-Based Practice of Palliative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:chap 29.

Levine SK, Shega JW. How should medications be initiated and titrated to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting in clinical situations unrelated to chemotherapy? In: Goldstein NE, Morrison RS, eds. Evidence-Based Practice of Palliative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:chap 26.

Levine SK, Shega JW. What interventions are effective for relieving acute bowel obstruction in cancer and other conditions? In: Goldstein NE, Morrison RS, eds. Evidence-Based Practice of Palliative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:chap 27.

Patient Information

Couple in kitchen looking at digital tablet

Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
  • Health Insurance Guide

Find a Doctor Who Fits Your Needs

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Flu Resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By clicking on "Accept Cookies", closing this pop-up banner or by continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy   Cookie Preferences