Patient refusal of nutrition and hydration

People who feel they are near the end of their life often consciously refuse food and/or water. Published studies [1] indicate that "within the context of adequate palliative care, the refusal of food and fluids does not contribute to suffering among the terminally ill", and might actually contribute to a comfortable passage from life: "At least for some persons, starvation does correlate with reported euphoria."

See also

• fasting
• living will

References

• Patient Refusal of Nutrition and Hydration: Walking the Ever-Finer Line American Journal Hospice & Palliative Care, pp. 8–13, March/April 1995
• END-OF-LIFE Nutrition