Final answer:
Deglutition problems in patients can stem from various health issues and may lead to the use of a feeding tube for water and nutrition. Swallowing is a complex process that can be disrupted by illness or injury. Treatment may require therapy to regain swallowing ability alongside nutritional support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inability to swallow food with high water content and the subsequent need to deliver sufficient water through a feeding tube is related to deglutition, a medical term for swallowing. Patients with this condition may suffer from symptoms like frequent vomiting and dehydration, which can be severe enough to require hospitalization. Swallowing is a complex process that includes three phases: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase, with the latter two phases being controlled by the autonomic nervous system. In some medical cases, such as a neurological disorder or a post-operative condition, patients may need to relearn the swallowing process or be temporarily dependent on alternate feeding methods like feeding tubes.
Challenges with deglutition can arise from various conditions, including complications from chronic diseases such as renal issues leading to acidosis, or the result of prolonged cases of vomiting and diarrhea that cause significant loss of digestive fluids. Treatment and rehabilitation involve not only providing necessary nutrients and hydration but also therapy to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and to retrain the neuromuscular coordination required for effective deglutition.