Nurse Sparks Outrage After Claiming Dying Patients Shouldn't Be Given Water

30.10.2024 - 01:08

In a shocking TikTok video that has taken the health community by storm, Nurse Julie—known for her candid discussions on death—has ignited a heated debate. In her latest post, she asserts that providing water to dying patients is unnecessary, a statement that has drawn widespread backlash from both professionals and the public. Many are questioning her controversial viewpoint, leading to a flurry of reactions across social media. What has made this video so divisive, and what do experts really say about hydration at the end of life? Dive into the controversy that’s stirring up passionate discussions in the healthcare world!

Receiving news of the death of someone we know is one of the last things we want in life.

Many hospital staff members also encounter news of death at various intervals.

Recently, a nurse named Julie, who is known for her discussions about death, sparked significant controversy with a video she shared.

Julie is also recognized as an author who has written books on palliative care and aims to support families through this challenging process.

In her video, Julie mentioned that there is something that needs to be done for a patient who is nearing death.

'I receive the most backlash for what I’m about to say, even from other healthcare workers, because people are shocked when I say that patients on their deathbeds should remain dehydrated. But let me explain why I think this,' she began.

Julie explained how the body responds during the dying process and discussed how families react to this situation.

'When someone is dying of another illness, they are not dying because they are dehydrated. The body automatically triggers certain mechanisms as it prepares for death. And during this process, a person typically does not crave food or water,' she said. She pointed out that families often panic when they observe this situation, saying, 'Of course, families are anxious, thinking, 'They’re not eating or drinking, what do we do?''

Julie further clarified, "What you need to remember is that people are not dying because they are not taking in food or water."

'They don’t want to eat or drink because they are already near death.' She explained that the body enters ketosis during this process, releasing endorphins that help the person feel better.

She also noted that dehydration does not cause discomfort in dying individuals as it does in healthy people, stating,

'Healthy individuals might experience symptoms like headaches, but those who are dying do not experience such discomforts. The body prepares itself for dehydration.' Julie mentioned that she often receives criticism for not recommending intravenous fluid therapy from patients’ families.