Certain circumstances and diseases can make it impossible for people to eat by hand. To ensure that the body is supplied with all the important nutrients, medical professionals can insert a feeding tube. In this way, food enters the digestive tract directly without the need for decomposition by mouth.
What is a feeding tube?
To ensure that the body is supplied with all the essential nutrients, medical professionals may place a feeding tube. Such an operation is necessary for premature babies, for example. Artificial feeding is not only intended to help maintain vital functions. At the same time, a feeding tube is a factor in improving health and quality of life. Nevertheless, before such a decision is made, a detailed discussion with the attending physician is often necessary to clarify any ethical doubts. If a patient is no longer able to take in food on his or her own due to physical complaints, a specific solution is initially administered in most cases. This contains all the important nutrients. However, certain diseases can be responsible for the entire swallowing process no longer working properly. In such a condition, the gastric tube is often the last solution. It is thus suitable, for example, for people with paralysis of the swallow, tumors in the area of the mouth and throat or, however, in the case of loss of consciousness.
Function, effect and goals
On the one hand, a gastric tube is suitable for the administration of food; on the other hand, the tube enables the removal of elements of the stomach contents. Such a procedure is used, for example, after poisoning to channel the substances out of the body before digestion continues in the intestines. The gastric tube is a tube made of a soft material. This usually measures 75 centimeters. How far the tube is inserted depends largely on the desired position and the size of the patient. The diameter of most tubes is between one and 13 millimeters. Gastric tubes can lead directly into the stomach or end in the duodenum or colon. While one end has holes through which food enters the organism, specific devices can be connected to the other end. For example, when pumping gastric acid or other contents, a suction device is attached here. The insertion of a gastric tube is usually perceived as unpleasant, but not painful. The tube can be fixed either through the nose or through the mouth. In most cases, a transnasal feeding tube is used. This is perceived as less disturbing during speech and can be fixed better at the same time. In cases of skull fractures or other injuries to the head, the tube can often only be administered through the mouth. If long-term artificial feeding is unavoidable, the tube enters the stomach directly through the abdominal wall. The feeding tube must therefore find its way through the nose, throat and esophagus before it is placed in the intended location. A feeding tube is recommended primarily for four medical cases. Various fluids can be removed from the stomach through the tube. This becomes necessary, for example, in the case of intestinal obstruction or due to gastric bleeding. In this way, blood, gastric juice or stomach contents can be removed from the organism. If a diagnosis requires the examination of gastric juice, it can also be removed through a gastric tube for this specific purpose. Most frequently, however, doctors insert a gastric tube for the artificial feeding of patients who, for various reasons, are no longer able to meet their nutritional needs on their own. In particular, the use of gastric tubes is increasing among people in older age groups or after accidents. The fourth reason for a gastric tube is to flush the intestines. If the patient suffers from poisoning, the intestine can be relieved in this way. Preferably, the toxic substances are already pumped out in the stomach. If such a process can no longer be realized, the treatment starts in the intestine.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Depending on the area of application as well as the gastric tube used, differentiated complaints may also occur. In general, however, the risk of complications due to such a tube is very low. Thus, the insertion of the tube can be perceived as very unpleasant.Some patients react with a gag reflex. Further complications can arise, for example, during the insertion of the gastric tube. The main focus here is on the material of the tube. Poorly pliable materials have an increased risk of injuring the mucous membranes, stomach, esophagus or intestines. However, because the material used has evolved in recent years, it is usually a flexible plastic that reduces the risk of injury. In a few patients, the treating physician is unable to insert the tube via the esophagus. Instead, the tube enters the trachea. If the patient is conscious, he or she usually responds by a cough reflex. In the case of unconscious persons, however, only an examination afterwards can determine whether the gastric tube has been placed correctly. Other possible complications include possible irritation of the gastric mucosa. These occur mainly during gastroscopy through a gastroscope. Touching can cause irritation or injury. Very rarely, the gastroscope pierces the mucosa. In such a case, it cannot be ruled out that contents of the stomach penetrate into surrounding tissue. Often, such an injury results in inflammation of the peritoneum. In addition to surgery, antibiotics are administered. In general, the risk of injury due to a gastric tube is low. According to estimates, less than one patient in 100 suffers from adverse side effects and concomitants.
