During aspiration there may be coughing and sputtering, or the aspirating person may be completely silent. Frequent bouts of pneumonia and respiratory problems can result from aspiration, resulting in prolonged periods of medically supervised rest in order to recover. Some individuals are able to eat or drink orally, however they are unable to obtain enough calories and fluids to maintain normal weight or state of hydration. Dehydration and malnutrition can then result. If the condition preventing adequate oral nourishment will be long term, then enteral support is indicated.
Enteral support means providing liquids and foods directly into the stomach or intestine.
The most common form of enteral feeding is the gastrostomy tube. If the oral route, i.e., the mouth, is to be bypassed for less than six weeks then a nasogastric feeding tube is used. This tube is passed through the nose or mouth for each meal, daily, or left in place. The formula is then supplied through the tube. The nasogastric tube is certainly the least comfortable of the different methods used to meet nutritional needs through non-oral means.