Force feeding (Gavage)

Forced feeding (gavage) is any measure applied to a patient who does not want or cannot independently take food by mouth. This especially applies to force feeding through a tube inserted directly into the patient's stomach.

This method of artificial nutrition is used in cases where a person cannot take enough food on his own due to serious swallowing disorders, loss of appetite due to severe illness, or refusal to eat for mental reasons. At the same time, to maintain the vital functions of the body, it is necessary to ensure the supply of nutrients and calories.

Force feeding is most often carried out using a nasogastric tube, which is inserted through the nose into the patient's stomach. Special nutritional mixtures are periodically administered through a tube. This process must be carried out under strict medical supervision to avoid complications.

Although necessary in some cases, force feeding is an ethically controversial practice. Its use should be limited to cases of extreme necessity and respect the rights of the patient. Alternative methods may include tube feeding with patient consent or total parenteral nutrition.

Force feeding, also known as gavage, is a procedure in which food or liquid is introduced into the stomach through a tube inserted into the nose, mouth, or windpipe. This may be necessary for people who are unable to take food by mouth for various reasons, such as injury, surgery, illness or unconsciousness.

However, force feeding is a controversial topic as some people consider it a violation of the right to self-determination and autonomy. Others believe that in some cases this is a necessary measure to ensure the patient's survival.

Force feeding can be done using different types of feeding tubes. For example, nasal feeding uses a nasogastric tube, which is passed through the nasal passages into the stomach. For oral feeding, an orogastric tube is used, which is inserted through the mouth and plunged into the stomach.

Force feeding may be necessary in the following cases:

1. if the patient is unable to swallow or eat due to a state of unconsciousness or illness;
2. if the patient refuses to eat, but this is necessary to maintain life;
3. if the patient is in a state of distress or distress in which there are no other means of obtaining food.

However, force feeding can also cause various side effects and complications. For example, inserting a tube may cause vomiting or choking, and prolonged use of a tube may lead to infection or irritation of the esophagus.

In general, force feeding is a complex and controversial procedure that should only be performed in extreme cases and under strict medical supervision. The decision to perform this procedure must be made based on the benefits and risks to the patient, as well as the patient's wishes and rights to self-determination.

Forced feeding (gavage) is any measures taken for a sick person who, for one reason or another, is unable to eat on his own. Patients who refused to eat and even those who were near death many decades ago could eat food with a tube inserted into the throat. Everyone else is able to eat food from a syringe, spoon, small vessel, and currently use specialized portable devices. Gavage is now an outdated feeding method because... There are many more modern alternatives such as the use of straws, feeding tubes, nutrient tubes and other devices to deliver food into the body. These devices are significantly safer and easier to use compared to feeding tubes and Gave. The use of feeding tubes allows nutrients to be administered in the right amount and at the optimal distance from the esophagus. Moreover, these devices ensure good and easy passage of food through the throat and esophagus. Eating tubes are easy to use and reliable. The big advantage of these devices is that they are well tolerated by patients. The most important point when using Gave when feeding is the optimal size of the fitting. In other words, it should be small enough so that the patient does not have difficulty eating and large enough