Cachexia is a complex wasting syndrome marked by ongoing loss of skeletal muscle, often with loss of fat mass. It is commonly seen in chronic illnesses such as cancer, advanced liver disease, chronic heart failure, and chronic inflammatory disorders. In gastroenterology and hepatology, Cachexia often overlaps with poor intake, malabsorption, and inflammation. Clinicians use the term to describe a specific pattern of weight and muscle loss that is not fully explained by reduced calories alone.

Malnutrition is a health state in which nutrient intake or nutrient utilization does not meet the body’s needs. It can involve too little energy or protein, too few vitamins or minerals, or an imbalance between needs and intake. Clinicians use the term in hospitals, clinics, and surgery settings to describe nutrition-related risk and impaired recovery. In gastroenterology and hepatology, it often reflects problems with eating, digestion, absorption, or chronic inflammation.

TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition. It is a way to deliver complete nutrition directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. TPN is commonly used in hospitals and sometimes at home when the gut cannot safely absorb enough nutrients.

Parenteral Nutrition is a way to deliver nutrients directly into the bloodstream. It bypasses the stomach and intestines when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract cannot be used safely or effectively. It is commonly used in hospitalized patients with intestinal failure or severe malabsorption. Some patients also receive Parenteral Nutrition at home with long-term venous access and monitoring.

Enteral Nutrition is the delivery of nutrients into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is commonly given as liquid formula through a feeding tube or, in some settings, by carefully structured oral nutrition plans. It is used when a person cannot eat enough by mouth but the gut can still digest and absorb nutrients. It is widely applied in hospitals, intensive care units, oncology care, and perioperative GI and surgical practice.

Nutritional Support is a set of clinical strategies used to provide calories, protein, fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals when usual eating is not enough. It can be delivered by mouth, through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using feeding tubes, or intravenously as parenteral nutrition. It is commonly used in hospitalized patients, perioperative care, cancer care, and chronic GI or liver disease. The goal is to maintain or restore nutritional status while underlying disease is evaluated or treated.

Ostomy Care is the clinical support and routine management of a surgically created opening (stoma) that diverts intestinal contents to the skin surface. It commonly includes selecting and fitting an ostomy pouching system and protecting the skin around the stoma (peristomal skin). It is used after many colorectal and small-bowel surgeries, including temporary or permanent diversions. It is taught and coordinated across surgery, gastroenterology, nursing, and wound-ostomy-continence (WOC) specialties.

Ileostomy is a surgically created opening that brings the end of the small intestine (the ileum) to the skin. It allows intestinal contents to leave the body without passing through the colon or rectum. Output is collected in an external pouching system attached to the abdominal wall. It is commonly used in colorectal surgery and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care.

A Colostomy is a surgically created opening that brings part of the colon (large intestine) to the skin of the abdomen. Stool exits the body through this opening, called a stoma, into an external pouching system. It is commonly used in colorectal surgery to divert fecal flow away from the rectum or a diseased segment of bowel. It may be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying condition and surgical plan.

A Stoma is an opening created to connect an internal organ to the surface of the body. In gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, it most often refers to a surgically created bowel opening for stool diversion. A Stoma is commonly discussed in colorectal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, cancer care, and perioperative management. It is also used for access routes such as feeding (e.g., gastrostomy), depending on context.