When do people need artificial fluids and nutrition?
If a patient isn’t able to swallow because of a temporary medical problem, artificial feeding and fluids can be given until they recover. Artificial feeding and fluids are options for a patient who has an advanced, life-threatening illness and is dying. The patient, family members and doctor can talk about these options and the benefits and risks. What is involved in artificial feeding? An intravenous catheter (a thin plastic tube that slides in over a needle) may be placed in the vein under the patient’s skin. Fluids and sometimes nutrition are given through the catheter. Another method of artificial fluids and feeding is through a plastic tube called a nasogastric tube (also called an NG tube). This tube is put through the nose, down the throat and into the stomach. It can only be left in for a short time, usually one to four weeks. If the feeding tube has to be in longer, a different kind of feeding tube may be used. It’s placed into the wall of the stomach (also called a PEG tube o
