Today patients can be kept alive for years with liquid nutrition and fluids delivered through a catheter inserted into a vein or tubes inserted into the intestines or stomach. Artificial feeding has a demonstrated benefit for some patients, including premature infants, severely depressed patients, those battling specific intestinal disorders and those recovering from trauma or a bone marrow transplant. Benefits are less clear for those with advanced cancer, strokes, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. The risks range from infection and bleeding when tubes are surgically implanted to erosion and damage to the nasal passage, esophagus, stomach or intestines. Such feeding must be carefully monitored to avoid digestive problems, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Pneumonia is a risk.
If artificial food and fluids aren't provided, death from dehydration usually occurs in three to 14 days. Dry mouth, weakness and lethargy are the most common side effects. The American Medical Association, the 1983 President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and other professional and ethical groups recommend evaluating the practice just like any medical treatment. Without a living will stipulating that the patient wants no tube feeding or supplemental fluids, such treatment is often routine. Even with a living will, nursing homes sometimes require it.