Enteral feeding, or tube feeding, is a way to deliver nutrients through a tube if you cannot take food or drink through your mouth. In some cases, you may only need tube feeding for a short period of time during your hospital stay. In other cases, you may need to go home with the tube in place and continue to receive nutrition this way.
Tube feeding provides you with proper nutrition when a condition makes it difficult, unsafe, or impossible to take food in through your mouth. Fluids and medicines can also be given through the tube.
Complications include:
Diarrhea or constipation
Abdominal cramping or bloating
Breakdown of the skin surrounding the feeding tube
Irritated or infected stoma (the opening made in the abdomen)
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Higher than normal phosphate levels in the blood
Nausea and vomiting
Inhaling the liquid formula into the lungs (aspiration)
Clogged or dislodged feeding tube
Tube feeding is not something that can be done by yourself at home. It must be done by either your nurse if you can afford one, or a family member who is trained and willing to stay with you for every feeding.
Honestly, you can bring this up to your doctor-- however, unless things are looking grim for you, I don't know if he will agree with this. Instead of a tube feeding, what you may need is either to continue seeing your therapist along with nutritional therapy OR if things are really as bad you say they are, then he may consider hospitalizing you until you reach a healthier weight. If hospitalization is required, then he may start you on tube feeding. If you are eating close to nothing in a day, please contact your PCP.
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Hi Sysy,
Enteral feeding, or tube feeding, is a way to deliver nutrients through a tube if you cannot take food or drink through your mouth. In some cases, you may only need tube feeding for a short period of time during your hospital stay. In other cases, you may need to go home with the tube in place and continue to receive nutrition this way.
Tube feeding provides you with proper nutrition when a condition makes it difficult, unsafe, or impossible to take food in through your mouth. Fluids and medicines can also be given through the tube.
Complications include:
Diarrhea or constipation
Abdominal cramping or bloating
Breakdown of the skin surrounding the feeding tube
Irritated or infected stoma (the opening made in the abdomen)
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Higher than normal phosphate levels in the blood
Nausea and vomiting
Inhaling the liquid formula into the lungs (aspiration)
Clogged or dislodged feeding tube
Tube feeding is not something that can be done by yourself at home. It must be done by either your nurse if you can afford one, or a family member who is trained and willing to stay with you for every feeding.
Honestly, you can bring this up to your doctor-- however, unless things are looking grim for you, I don't know if he will agree with this. Instead of a tube feeding, what you may need is either to continue seeing your therapist along with nutritional therapy OR if things are really as bad you say they are, then he may consider hospitalizing you until you reach a healthier weight. If hospitalization is required, then he may start you on tube feeding. If you are eating close to nothing in a day, please contact your PCP.
https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/question-about-feeding-tubes
Good Luck,
Rosa
October 7, 2011 - 9:40amThis Comment
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