: It is most commonly used as a safety precaution before surgery or medical imaging. Fasting ensures the stomach is empty, which prevents aspiration —the accidental inhalation of stomach contents into the lungs—while under anesthesia.
: It is also used to allow the digestive system to rest during conditions like bowel obstructions or acute pancreatitis, and to ensure clear views during diagnostic tests like endoscopies. Nil by Mouth
"Nil by Mouth" refers primarily to two distinct subjects: a standard medical instruction to withhold food and fluids, and a critically acclaimed 1997 film directed by Gary Oldman that uses this medical term as a metaphor for emotional neglect. 1. Medical Status: Nil per Os (NPO) : It is most commonly used as a