When taking food or fluids through the mouth is not possible, then nutritional support becomes the best remedy. Basically, nutritional support means artificial ways or methods in providing rehydration and nourishment to a person who is incapable of oral intake.

Included in nutritional support are tube feeding, artificial feeding, hyperalimentation, and parenteral nutrition. There are certain instances calling for the need in administering nutritional support. Some of them are not able to swallow and have impaired digestive system that could be due to severe malnourishment.

In tube feeding technique, a tube that serves as a tool in inserting food (could be in a form of a formula) gets attached to the nose or to an opening (made through surgery) in the gastrointestinal passages. Then the food, in the form of a formula could be injected to it through a syringe, or can be pumped or dripped through the tubes.

Parenteral nutrition, on the other hand, means infusing the formula through a specific vein, oftentimes a large one, located in the chest. Or sometimes, by choosing a smaller vein located in one's arm, glucose or saline formula is given through infusion.

Although many people, especially medical critics, find fault at nutritional support, mainly for resorting to apparatus or equipment in administering fluids and food, its importance cannot be undermined. People who cannot eat or drink are at great risk of being malnourished or dehydrated. It does not take long for a person to start weakening if he is not provided with sustenance, especially when sick. The lack of nutrients and fluid in the body weakens the function of the immune system, making him prone to more serious infections. If this is the case, the situation can get life-threatening.