Artificial Hydration

On the other hand, Cheryl Arenella, M.D, argues that in some cases artificial nutrition and hydration should be used because it provides nutrition and fluids for the patient to help them live and function longer. Arenella states “A person who has a mechanical blockage of his/her mouth, esophagus, or stomach … is likely to benefit if a tube is placed below the blockage in order to be able to receive nutrition and fluids … When a blocked bowel develops … TPN has been helpful in allowing that person to live and function longer than without the treatment” (Artificial Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life : Beneficial or Harmful? par. 46 and 47). This means that in cases where end of life patients can not take in foods and fluids by mouth, artificial N&H is necessary. Or in other cases when there is difficulty, it is necessary …show more content…
Situations where a tube would be used is if they suffer from head, neck or esophageal cancer. TPN is total parenteral nutrition, another way for artificial N&H. Cases where a bowel is blocked, TPN is beneficial because it helps the end of life patient live and function longer. This point of view seems persuasive at first but it explains how artificial nutrition and hydration is only necessary for certain situations. Whereas artificial nutrition and hydration simply should not be used for end of life patient because it does more harm than good. Intravenous hydration, a method of artificial N&H, has a negative impact on the quality of the patient’s life. It is very likely to cause awful symptoms and pain that will negatively impact the end of life patient. Such as coughing, pneumonia, nausea, vomiting, increased urinary output, and swelling of the body. It can agonize the patient instead of aiding them. In addition, the nutritional support from artificial nutrition and hydration does not reverse or cure the terminal