Parenteral nutrition - dry mouth?

[Meanderer]

Hi anyone have experience of this? My friend in hospital ( I did another thread yesterday on this) and visiting today...wondering whether anyone has hints for someone on a feeding tube, to keep her feeling comfortable and cared for..she's having a horrible frightening time ATM. :-(

You can get artificial saliva from a pharmacy, as well as slightly flavoured swabs that you dip in water that can assist with discomfort. However, if the person is being fed by a tube because of swallowing problems, there would be a need for caution, especially with the swabs. If too wet, the water can enter the airway and carry bacteria from the mouth to the lungs, potentially causing infection.