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Weight and drinking enough
When eating and drinking get hard, people often take in less. Here are the signs to watch.
Awaiting clinical review. This page is written from general, widely accepted background on how eating and swallowing work. It has not yet been signed off by a named clinician, and it is not a substitute for asking one.
Why it happens
When meals are tiring or worrying, people often eat less. Some drink less to avoid coughing.
It can happen slowly, so it is easy to miss.
What you might notice
- Clothes, rings or dentures fitting looser.
- Meals taking much longer, or left half eaten.
- Skipping foods or drinks you used to enjoy.
- Signs of not drinking enough: dark yellow pee, peeing less, a dry mouth, headaches, dizziness or tiredness.
- New confusion in an older adult. It can be a sign of not drinking enough.
What can help
- Weigh yourself once a week, at the same time, on the same scale. Write it down.
- Keep a drink within reach and sip through the day, if fluids are not limited for you.
- Smaller meals more often can be less tiring than three big ones.
- A registered dietitian can help you find foods and drinks that fit your swallow and your tastes.
- Log your meals. Changes are easier to spot when they are written down.
Questions to ask your care team
- Is my weight change worth looking into?
- Could I see a dietitian?
- How much do I need to drink each day?
- What are the pros and cons of supplement drinks for me?
- Could swallowing be why I eat less?
When to get help
Get checked soon if you notice any of these. A doctor or SLP can look at what is going on.
- Coughing or choking when you eat or drink.
- Food or pills that feel stuck.
- Losing weight without trying.
- Pneumonia or chest infections, especially if they come back.
When this is worth asking about
- Someone cannot breathe, speak or cough. Call 911.
- Losing weight without trying.
- Signs of not drinking enough, like dark pee or dizziness.
- New confusion in an older adult. Call a doctor the same day.