Parenteral Nutrition is a vital service provided by Nosileia Tora, allowing patients to receive essential nutrients intravenously in their own homes. This method of feeding is particularly useful in cases where the patient’s digestive system is compromised or not functioning properly.
What is parenteral nutrition?
Parenteral Nutrition is a feeding method that bypasses the digestive system by administering essential nutrients intravenously. This means that nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the process of digestion and absorption of food. Intravenous feeding is typically used when the digestive system cannot be utilized to meet the body’s needs, either due to illness or insufficiency.
Parenteral nutrition may include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, trace elements, and electrolytes. It can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the patient’s condition. Parenteral nutrition can be administered in a hospital or at home, with appropriate supervision and training.
The benefits of parenteral nutrition are:
- It provides all the essential nutrients to the body when conventional feeding is not feasible or sufficient.
- It helps in maintaining or increasing weight and muscle mass.
- It reduces the risk of complications such as malnutrition, anemia, osteoporosis, infections, and decreased quality of life.
How is parenteral nutrition administered?
Parenteral nutrition requires a specialized solution containing proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, trace elements, and electrolytes. This solution is prepared in a laboratory and tested for safety and quality. The solution is administered to the patient using a pump that regulates the speed and volume of the infusion. The pump is connected to a ‘bag’ containing the solution and a catheter that is inserted into a large vein of the patient, usually in the chest or neck. There are various types of catheters that can be used for parenteral nutrition, depending on the duration and nature of the treatment. Two of the most common types are the PICC Line and Port-a-Cath catheters.
The PICC Line catheter is a flexible tube that is inserted into a vein in the arm and extends up to the heart. It has one or more ends that exit through the skin and connect to the pump. It can remain in place for several weeks or months and requires daily cleaning and flushing.
The Port-a-Cath catheter is an injection port made of plastic or metal with a silicone or rubber septum on top, which is connected to a tube that reaches a vein. The port is implanted under the skin in the chest or arm through a minor surgical procedure. When needed, the skin is anesthetized with a cream, and a special needle is inserted through the septum. The Port-a-Cath can remain in place for as long as the treatment is needed, even for years, and does not require daily care.
Who are the categories of patients that use parenteral nutrition?
Parenteral nutrition is used by:
- Patients with impaired absorption of food from the digestive system due to cancer, treatments, short bowel syndrome, radiation enteritis, prolonged ileus, or other small bowel disorders.
- Patients with severe acute pancreatitis, which causes intense inflammation and swelling of the pancreas and surrounding organs.
- Patients with malnutrition when the digestive system is underperforming or is expected not to function for at least 5 days.
- Patients who are debilitated and have increased energy and nutrient needs.
- Patients with gastrointestinal obstruction or poor nutrient absorption due to cancer and treatments.
- Patients with Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation or other symptoms affecting nutrient absorption or intake.
- Patients with ischemic bowel disease, which leads to reduced blood and oxygen supply to the intestine.
- Patients with abnormal bowel function due to surgical procedures, neurological diseases, radiation enteritis, or other causes.
- Patients with uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea, for whom it is essential to avoid oral intake through the gastrointestinal system.
Parenteral Nutrition in Cancer Patients
One of the consequences of cancer and its treatments is the difficulty or inability to feed normally, i.e., through the mouth and esophagus. This can be due to various reasons, such as:
- Obstruction, narrowing, or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to tumor growth or surgical removal of the tumor.
- Poor nutrient absorption due to damage to the intestines from chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, ulcers, inflammation, or other symptoms affecting food intake or absorption.
- Anorexia, loss of appetite, aversion to food, or other psychological disturbances related to the disease or its treatment.
When a patient is unable to feed normally, or when normal feeding is insufficient to meet their needs, parenteral nutrition is used as an alternative method of nutrition.
How Can We Help?
At Nosileia Tora, we have a specialized team of nurses ready to manage your parenteral nutrition at home, according to the treatment plan set by your attending physician. We provide training and guidance on parenteral nutrition and are always available to address any issues or questions that may arise. Contact us at 210 57 100 88 for Attica and 2310 262 888 for Thessaloniki to learn more about the service and to schedule your appointment promptly.
