Hydration and SMA: Why it matters

Last updated Sept. 17, 2025, by Roslyn Marano
✅ Fact-checked by Inês Martins, PhD

 

For people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), hydration isn’t just about quenching thirst; it’s an essential part of maintaining comfort, energy, and overall health.

However, staying hydrated with SMA sometimes presents unique challenges, including swallowing difficulties and fatigue, which can make it harder to drink enough fluids.

Because of these challenges, it’s important to understand your or your loved one’s hydration needs and how to address them, which can make it easier to keep up with daily hydration.

How SMA can make staying hydrated more difficult

SMA primarily affects the nerves that control voluntary muscles, often leading to weakness in the arms, legs, throat, and torso.

These symptoms can make everyday tasks such as drinking water harder to manage, especially without support.

For example, weakness in throat muscles can lead to swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), which can make sipping water uncomfortable or unsafe. Fatigue, limited mobility, or muscle weakness may also prevent someone from reaching for fluids regularly.

Additionally, depending on the type of SMA you have, you may also rely on feeding tubes, which means hydration depends on a scheduled fluid plan.

What hydration does for the body when you have SMA

Staying hydrated offers several health benefits. While there are no large studies focusing solely on hydration and SMA, in the general population, hydration can:

By meeting your fluid needs, you may be able to help your body function more efficiently and reduce discomfort from some common SMA-related symptoms.

How to tell if you’re not getting enough fluids

Dehydration in SMA may not always look the same as in people without neuromuscular conditions. Still, there are common signs to watch for, including:

  • dry lips, tongue, or mouth
  • dark yellow urine or fewer trips to the bathroom
  • constipation or straining during bowel movements
  • headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness
  • irritability, fatigue, or trouble concentrating
  • weakness or increased muscle cramping

Because children and adults with SMA may have difficulty communicating discomfort or changes in how they feel, caregivers may want to track fluid intake and observe for subtle behavioral changes.

If any of these signs of dehydration in SMA worsen or occur alongside fever or illness, reach out to your healthcare provider.

Tips for staying hydrated

Meeting SMA hydration needs may require creativity and support — especially when drinking water is hard to manage independently.

Some caregiver tips for hydration that can be especially helpful in keeping fluid intake steady and stress-free include:

  • incorporating water-rich foods for SMA, such as melons, cucumbers, or broths
  • trying flavored waters or teas
  • keeping spill-proof water bottles within easy reach
  • using adaptive cups or straws to make sipping easier
  • setting a daily fluid intake plan with your loved one’s care team
  • building fluids into snack and meal times
  • offering small sips frequently instead of large amounts at once
  • monitoring urine color and frequency as hydration cues

Staying hydrated with limited mobility often means planning ahead, but small adjustments can make hydration feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

What to do if drinking enough water is a challenge

For people who find drinking difficult due to swallowing issues or fatigue, other hydration strategies may be needed.

If swallowing is unsafe, a speech-language pathologist can recommend thickened liquids or modified fluid textures. For those using feeding tubes, fluids can often be administered throughout the day with guidance from your healthcare team.

Some people may also need increased fluid support during illness, travel, or hot weather. In these cases, hydration should be part of your broader SMA care plan.

Talk to your team about how to safely meet your fluid needs, whether through meals, scheduled tube feeds, or caregiver reminders.

Finally, hydration tips for neuromuscular disorders such as SMA should be tailored to your unique needs.

Addressing constipation in SMA, supporting both respiratory health and hydration, and helping caregivers feel confident in managing fluid intake are all part of a comprehensive approach to SMA care.

SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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