Enteral Nutrition: I explain it to you from my personal experience.

Hello, I'm Pablo García. I'm not a doctor, but life led me to learn about something that, honestly, I never thought it would affect me: enteral nutrition. Yes, those tubes you see in movies or in hospitals, that feed people when they can't eat on their own. I assure you, there's nothing like experiencing it firsthand (or that of a loved one) to understand what it really means.

So, if you stick around, I'm going to tell you what it is, why you (or someone you know) might need it, and what you can expect. All from my experience, but with lots of practical information. No holds barred and with a couple of tips that doctors don't give you.

What is enteral nutrition and when is it used?

To start simple and straightforward: enteral nutrition is a way to provide needed nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract, through a probe. This tube can go from the nose to the stomach (nasogastric), or is placed directly into the stomach or intestine (gastrostomy or jejunostomy).

But don't think this is something exclusive to serious hospital cases. My mother, after suffering an accident, could not eat on her own. What did we do? Enteral nutrition to the rescue. And boy was it a help.

This type of feeding is used when the patient has a functional digestive system, but cannot or should not feed by mouth. Here are some examples for you to better visualize:

• Accidents that affect the ability to swallow.
• Neurological disorders that prevent movement of the muscles of the mouth and throat.
• Cancer that blocks the digestive tract.
• Chronic malnutrition problems in which, no matter how much the patient wants to eat, he/she does not get what he/she needs by mouth alone(((.

What types of enteral nutrition are there?

This is where the technical stuff comes in, but it is important to know so you can have a conversation with your doctor (and not be left with a "I don't understand anything" look on your face). Enteral nutrition can be administered in several ways, depending on the patient's needs:

1. Nasogastric and nasoenteric tubes

I'll explain it to you simply: these are tubes that pass through the nose and into the stomach or intestine. They are for temporary use and, from my own experience, I can tell you that they are not very pleasant to look at, but they are very effective.

2. Gastrostomy and jejunostomy

When it is anticipated that enteral nutrition will be necessary for a long period (such as in cases of chronic illness or permanent neurological damage), a tube is placed directly into the stomach or intestine. This is done through minor surgery. It may sound invasive, but the convenience it offers the patient is indisputable.

Enteral nutrition formulas: what are you eating?

What is administered through the tube is not simply mashed food (although sometimes it can be). The enteral formulas are designed to cover all the nutritional needs of the patient, without complications. Here are the main ones:

• Polymeric diets: These are formulas that contain proteins, carbohydrates and fats in their natural form, ready for the intestine to absorb. This is what we used with my mother and, believe me, it worked wonders(.
• Peptide diets: Here the nutrients are "pre-digested", which makes them perfect for people with absorption problems.
• Specialized diets: There are formulas specifically designed for patients with kidney, liver disease or even for those suffering from diabetes((.

What are the benefits of enteral nutrition?

I'll be honest, before I was faced with this, I had my doubts about this type of feeding. But now that I know about it, I can tell you with confidence that it has many advantages:

• It is more natural than parenteral nutrition (which goes directly into the bloodstream).
• It reduces the risk of infections and serious complications.
• It is cheaper (yes, money matters!) and easy to administer.
• Less time in the hospital: You can't imagine how quickly it helped my mother get out of the hospital.

Are there complications? Yes, but...

Come on, it's not all rosy. But it's not like this is a minefield either. Complications exist, but they are manageable if you do things right. Here are some examples of what you may face:

2. Probe obstruction: If you're not careful when cleaning, the probe can become clogged.The solution? Consistent cleaning and following the doctor's instructions to the letter.
4. Infections: If the tube is placed directly into the stomach, the area must be kept clean and dry to avoid infections.
5. Diarrhea: Some formulas, especially artisanal ones, can be more difficult to digest((.

My experience: A journey I'll never forget

It's rare, but when you see a loved one improve thanks to something as technical as a tube, you learn to appreciate science in a different way. In my case, enteral nutrition not only saved my mother's life, but it allowed us to maintain her quality of life without long hospital stays.

If there's one thing I can tell you, it's that, although it seems like an intimidating process, it's a powerful tool that can completely change a person's recovery.

Conclusion: Enteral nutrition as a lifesaver

If you are ever faced with the decision to use enteral nutrition, remember that you are not alone. Science is on your side and, while it may not be the most glamorous solution, it's effective and safe. And if you need any more help, you know I'm here for you.