How to Manage Feeding Tubes at Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Enteral feeding, also known as tube feeding or gavage, delivers nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Importantly, feeding tubes play a crucial role in the health of patients who cannot swallow food, liquids, and/or medications due to various medical conditions, including swallowing problems and/or difficulty absorbing nutrition. Feeding tubes, used for short- or long-term assistance, pump nutrition in liquid form directly into the gastrointestinal tract, providing vital nutrients, hydration, and medications. This post will make it easier for patients and family caregivers to manage feeding tubes at home, a task which can feel overwhelming at first.