When patients cannot meet their nutritional needs through oral intake, alternative methods of nutritional support may be necessary:
- Enteral Nutrition: Providing nutrition via a tube directly into the stomach or small intestine. This is often used for patients with swallowing difficulties. - Parenteral Nutrition: Delivering nutrients intravenously, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. This is used for patients with severe gastrointestinal conditions or when enteral feeding is not possible.
