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Enteral Feeding

Description

If you lose too much weight or can't eat, you may need nutrition supplements. These supplements give you the water, fiber, fat, protein, vitamins, and other nutrients your body needs. If you can't take these supplements by mouth, you may need enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is a type of feeding that uses a person's gut (gastrointestinal tract). It bypasses the mouth and the need to swallow. It might also be called a tube feeding. These tubes allow you to get fluid and nutrients without eating or drinking.

The common types of tubes used are:

  • Nasogastric (NG) tube. This tube is long, soft, and thin. It goes into your nose and down your esophagus to your stomach. An NG tube might be used if you need nutritional support for only a short time, often less than 6 weeks.

  • Gastrostomy tube (G-tube). This short tube is put in by a surgeon or gastroenterologist. It's put right into your stomach through a small hole made in the skin over your belly. The end of the tube sticks out of your skin. This is also called a PEG tube (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube). It might be needed if you'll need support for a long time,

  • Jejunostomy tube (J-tube). This tube is like a G-tube. But it's put into the upper part of your small intestine (jejunum), not your stomach. It might be better to use if you have reflux or your stomach empties slowly.

All these tubes can be capped when they're not being used. The type of tube you have depends on how long you'll need to get tube feedings, your overall health, and your preferences.

Learning needs

You'll need to learn to care for your feeding tube and to give yourself the feedings. You'll also need to learn about some of the problems that can happen with tube feedings, how to manage them, and what to report to your healthcare provider. It's a good idea to have a family member or friend with you when your healthcare team shows you how to use your feeding tube. They can learn with you and help support you when you go home. You also may find it helps to have someone else know how to deal with your tube and the feedings.

Your home health nurse will teach you how to store and prepare the nutritional feedings, how to start and stop the infusions, and what to do if problems happen. It's best to practice while the nurse is with you. You'll also be given written directions and numbers to call in case you have problems or questions. Be sure to ask questions if you have trouble or are concerned about your feeding tube or any part of your enteral feeding plan. 

Preventing problems

It's important to get the nutrients you need to keep your body as strong and healthy as possible. When care is taken to give tube feedings safely and correctly, many problems can be prevented.

Here are some of the more common problems people have and what you can do to try to prevent them:

Aspiration

This is when the liquid food that was put in the stomach backs up and is breathed (inhaled) into the lungs.

To help prevent aspiration:

  • Sit up during each feeding and for at least 30 minutes after it's done.

  • If feeding is ongoing all day (continuous), keep your head raised on 2 or 3 pillows while sleeping.

  • Check for food that's still in your stomach (residual food) before giving a feeding. (Your nurse will teach you how to do this.)

  • Check placement of the tube before starting each feeding. (Your nurse will teach you how to do this.)

  • Don't start a feeding if you feel full or bloated.

Diarrhea

To help prevent diarrhea:

  • Don't use a feeding solution that has been open and at room temperature for more than 6 hours.

  • Don't use a feeding solution left open in the refrigerator longer than 24 hours.

  • Wash your hands before handling the tube or the feeding solution.

  • Keep the bag and tubing or syringes clean.

Infection from supplies can cause diarrhea and other problems. Make sure you store, clean, and use your tube feeding equipment carefully. Wash your hands before using your tube.

Constipation

To help prevent constipation:

  • Ask about adding fiber to your feeding solution.

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about using a stool softener or laxative.

  • Increase your physical activity as allowed.

Skin irritation

To help prevent skin irritation:

  • Keep the skin around your feeding tube clean and dry.

  • Watch for leakage around the tube. If it's leaking, tell your healthcare provider right away.

  • Tape the tube securely to keep from pulling on it.

  • Change the dressing every day and any time it gets wet.

  • Use skin protectant as needed.

  • Contact your healthcare provider if your nostril with the tube in it or the skin around the tube looks infected (red, painful, or oozing fluid).

Loss of body fluids (dehydration)

To help prevent dehydration:

  • Ask your nurse about increasing the amount of water given through the tube between feedings.

  • Watch for decreased amount of urine, less frequent urination, or dark-colored urine.

  • Watch for signs of thirst or fever.

Tube clogging

To help keep your tube from clogging:

  • Make sure there are no kinks in the tube.

  • Flush your tube after feedings.

  • Flush your tube before and after putting medicine in it. Only use liquid medicines that are not thick syrups.

Management

Your tube feedings will be given on a schedule that best fits your needs and the amount of calories needed. Your healthcare provider, dietitian, or nurse will talk with you about the schedule that's best for you. The choices are:

  • Intermittent or bolus. The amount of tube feeding for the day is divided up into smaller portions to be given at set times during the day over short periods. This may be done by gravity (letting the liquid run into the tube on its own) or syringe (using a syringe to gently push in the liquid into the tube).

  • Continuous tube feeding. The amount of tube feeding for the day is given slowly over a 24-hour period. A pump is used to keep the rate slow and steady.

It's important to make sure the tube is in the right place before starting each feeding. You will be taught how to do this. Make sure you do it every time you use the tube.

Follow-up

If you find your feedings are not working well for you, check with your healthcare provider or dietitian. Talk with them about changing the rate of feeding or the method of feeding.

Blood work will be done regularly to make sure the supplement you're getting is giving you the right amount of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. You may also be asked keep track of your weight.

If the tube becomes dislodged or falls out, put a dressing over the opening and call your healthcare provider right away. Also call your healthcare provider right away if your tube changes in length.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

  • Fever that lasts more than 24 to 48 hours

  • Fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

  • Diarrhea for more than 1 day

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Swelling or bloating in your belly

  • Tube clogging

  • Shortness of breath

  • Coughing

  • Abnormal sleepiness, disorientation, or confusion

Be sure you know what other problems you should watch for. Also be sure you know how to get help any time. Know what number to call after office hours, on weekends, and on holidays.

Medical Reviewers:

  • Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
  • Sabrina Felson MD
  • Todd Gersten MD
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