Many undernourished and critically ill people need additional nutrition (nutritional support). Artificial feeding, which uses commercial nutrient mixtures rather than food, is a common form of nutritional support. Nutritional support is intended to increase the amount of muscle tissue (muscle mass). It usually provides calories as well as vitamins and minerals.
Nutrients are given by mouth whenever possible, ideally as regular food. When people are reluctant to eat, the following strategies can sometimes help them eat more regular food:
Actively encouraging them to eat
Encouraging them to eat small amounts and to eat often
Heating or seasoning foods
Providing favorite or strongly flavored foods
Making meal times a priority when planning the day''s activities
Helping them eat if needed
However, these strategies are not enough for some people. For example, these strategies do not help people who cannot eat because of injuries or other physical problems (such as difficulty swallowing) or who have difficulty absorbing nutrients. These people may need nutritional support.
Nutritional support includes the following
A tube (tube feeding), usually ed through the nose or through the skin into the stomach or intestine
A catheter ed in a vein (intravenous feeding)
With tube feedings, nutrients go directly into the stomach or small intestine.
If people are dying or have advanced dementia, artificial feeding is usually not recommended
