PATIENTS
Enteral Feeding
Nutrition is essential for health and disease management, and enteral tube feeding provides nutrients directly to the digestive tract via a tube. This method is beneficial for individuals with dysphagia or those unable to consume enough food orally.
Reasons for Feeding Tube Placement:
Gastrostomy feeding tubes may be needed for various reasons, including:
- Congenital anomalies affecting the mouth, esophagus, or stomach.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Inability to maintain nutritional health through oral intake.
- Frequent aspiration of food.
Feeding Tube Insertion:
Endoscopic feeding tube placement is a straightforward procedure, with patients typically healing within 5 to 7 days. Education for patients and caregivers includes:
- Skin care around the tube.
- Recognizing infection signs.
- Handling dislodged tubes.
- Managing blockages.
- Feeding guidelines and nutrition types.
- Concealing the tube under clothing.
- Maintaining normal activities.
This procedure is also known as gastrostomy tube insertion, G-tube insertion, PEG tube insertion, stomach tube insertion, or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice.
