What is Enteral nutrition?
Enteral nutrition is the method of providing an individual with nutrients through a tube directly into a part of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Commonly the nutrition is supplied directly into the stomach, the duodenum or the jejunum (both parts of the small intestine).
What is naso-gastric feeding?
Nasogastric feeding is a technique whereby a narrow plastic tube is placed through
the nose, directly into your stomach. Once in place the tube can be used to give you
liquid food directly into your stomach, to provide nutrition.
Why do I need a naso-gastric tube?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to eat normally at the present
time. There may be a blockage at the back of your throat or in your gullet
(oesophagus), and this is preventing food going down normally. It may be that you
have had a stroke, and that this is causing you problems with swallowing, or your
gullet may not be working properly for other reasons.
How is the tube inserted?
You will be sitting upright, and a narrow plastic tube is passed through your nose and
down into your stomach. This can happen on the ward or as an out-patient. The tube is
checked to confirm that it is in the correct position, Once this has been established the
tube will be secured external to your nose, by placing it across your cheek with a
secure dressing.
This procedure will take about 20-30 minutes
What happens afterwards?
Your Nutrition Nurse and Dietician will decide when to start feeding. You may have a
blood test prior to the tube insertion to check that your body is ready to accept
artificial feeding. Feeding can commence once the tube position is confirmed.
What feed will I receive?
You will receive a prescribed, commercially prepared liquid feed which contains all
the essential nutrients you will need on a daily basis.
You may receive part or all of your daily nutrients via your naso-gastric tube,
depending on your specific medical condition and needs.
You may also need extra fluids through your tube. Water can be given using a syringe
or administration set.
Your Dietician will prescribe the volume and rate of your feed to suit your needs.
You may be fed intermittently during the day or continuously overnight depending on
which is best for you.
What happens if there is no aspirate?
You will be repositioned and another attempt to aspirate will be done.
What should I do if I experience a coughing fit?
Feeding shall stop until you have stopped coughing.
Enteral nutrition is the method of providing an individual with nutrients through a tube directly into a part of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Commonly the nutrition is supplied directly into the stomach, the duodenum or the jejunum (both parts of the small intestine).
What is naso-gastric feeding?
Nasogastric feeding is a technique whereby a narrow plastic tube is placed through
the nose, directly into your stomach. Once in place the tube can be used to give you
liquid food directly into your stomach, to provide nutrition.
Why do I need a naso-gastric tube?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to eat normally at the present
time. There may be a blockage at the back of your throat or in your gullet
(oesophagus), and this is preventing food going down normally. It may be that you
have had a stroke, and that this is causing you problems with swallowing, or your
gullet may not be working properly for other reasons.
How is the tube inserted?
You will be sitting upright, and a narrow plastic tube is passed through your nose and
down into your stomach. This can happen on the ward or as an out-patient. The tube is
checked to confirm that it is in the correct position, Once this has been established the
tube will be secured external to your nose, by placing it across your cheek with a
secure dressing.
This procedure will take about 20-30 minutes
What happens afterwards?
Your Nutrition Nurse and Dietician will decide when to start feeding. You may have a
blood test prior to the tube insertion to check that your body is ready to accept
artificial feeding. Feeding can commence once the tube position is confirmed.
What feed will I receive?
You will receive a prescribed, commercially prepared liquid feed which contains all
the essential nutrients you will need on a daily basis.
You may receive part or all of your daily nutrients via your naso-gastric tube,
depending on your specific medical condition and needs.
You may also need extra fluids through your tube. Water can be given using a syringe
or administration set.
Your Dietician will prescribe the volume and rate of your feed to suit your needs.
You may be fed intermittently during the day or continuously overnight depending on
which is best for you.
What happens if there is no aspirate?
You will be repositioned and another attempt to aspirate will be done.
What should I do if I experience a coughing fit?
Feeding shall stop until you have stopped coughing.