If an elderly person stops eating and drinking, it is called in medical terms “inanition”. Inanition happens when a person does not take in enough calories or fluids to maintain normal body function. This can happen for many reasons, including psychological factors such as depression, lack of appetite, or difficulty swallowing. Poor nutrition can also be a result of physical problems such as mouth pain or teeth problems that make eating difficult. When inanition occurs, the body starts to shut down and vital organs begin to fail. Death from inanition generally occurs within two weeks without treatment..
The first stage of inanition is dehydration which can lead to dry mouth, sunken eyes, increased thirst, decreased urine output, and fatigue. If fluids are not replenished at this stage, the person will progress to the second stage which is characterized by lethargy and confusion. The third stage is marked by coma and death usually follows shortly thereafter..
In order to prevent inanition, it is important for elderly people to eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated. If you are caring for an elderly person who has trouble eating or drinking, there are some things you can do to help such as pureeing food or offering small frequent meals throughout the day. It is also important to ensure that they are getting enough fluids by offering water or juice frequently throughout the day..
If you think someone you know may be suffering from inanition, it is important to seek medical help immediately as it can be a life-threatening condition.