Parenteral Nutrition

Introducing a specialized form of food through a vein is called parenteral (intravenous) nutrition (PN) or total parenteral nutrition (TPN). To treat or prevent malnutrition is the main goal of this procedure.

If a person’s digestive system cannot tolerate or absorb adequate food, this may be recommended by a doctor. Intravenous feeding at home is called home PN.

A needle will be inserted through your vein and PN will provide liquid nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, electrolytes, and minerals.

There are many reasons to decide to undergo home parenteral nutrition, including:

• Crohn’s disease – this disease might cause inflammation, pain or bowel narrowing that affects your eating and digesting food
• Cancer – if a person has a cancer of the digestive tract
• Ischemic bowel disease – this may reduce the blood flow to the bowel
• Short bowel syndrome – a person is not absorbing enough nutrients in their food because they do not have enough bowl
• Vomiting and Nausea – if you are vomiting every time you eat by mouth
• Abnormal bowel function – the food that you eat cannot move properly through your intestines leading to variety of symptoms that keeps your from eating

Catheter infection is the most common risk of complication of home parenteral nutrition.

Other risks include bone disease, liver disease, blood clots, and mineral and fluid imbalances.

To minimize the risks, always clean the catheter.

In preparing for home parenteral nutrition, you must follow your doctor’s orders. You and your doctor will discuss first your nutritional needs.

He will prescribe the appropriate liquid and this will need to be stored in a freezer or refrigerator.

Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after home parenteral nutrition.

Four to six hours before using, each dose must be removed from the refrigerator. If it stored in the freezer, it will have to be removed 24 hours before using it.

The majority of the patients that used this have some improvements in their condition. Their health will improve and their conditions will heal more quickly, but will not be cured of the symptoms.

The results of home parenteral nutrition will be an improvement in overall health.

There are patients who use this throughout their lives, and some only uses this temporarily.

The nutritional needs of your body might change with time.