Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

Enteral nutrition refers to delivering nutrients directly to the digestive system through a tube placed in the stomach or small intestine. It's used for patients who cannot eat normally but have a functioning digestive tract. Parenteral nutrition, on the other hand, involves delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous (IV) line. This method is used for individuals whose digestive system is non-functional or when their body cannot absorb nutrients effectively. Both methods ensure that patients receive essential nutrients when traditional eating isn't possible.