February 5-9, 2024 is Feeding Tube Awareness Week.
I’ve had a feeding tube for over a year now. As such, I am using this Feeding Tube Awareness Week to cover what I have learnt so far in a 10-part series. This is Part 4.
Here are links to the full series:
- Introduction to Feeding Tube Awareness Week
- History of Feeding Tubes
- The Different Types of Feeding Tubes and How to Place Them
- What Kind of Illnesses Might Need a Feeding Tube?
- How Do I Know If I Need a Feeding Tube and How To Get One?
- What Essential Supplies Do I Need for Tube Feeding?
- How To Make Tube Feeding Easier
- The Ultimate Guide to Showering With a Feeding Tube
- How to Reduce Stigma Around Feeding Tubes
- My Best Tips for Tube Feeding
Who Needs a Feeding Tube?
Tubes can be necessary for various medical conditions where individuals are unable to consume adequate nutrition orally. Some of the common illnesses and situations that may require the use of this type of nutrition include:
1. Neurological Disorders:
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis): Progressively affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing.
Parkinson’s Disease: Affects movement and can lead to swallowing difficulties in advanced stages.
2. Gastrointestinal Disorders:
Crohn’s Disease: Inflammation of the digestive tract can impact nutrient absorption.
Short Bowel Syndrome: Surgical removal of a significant portion of the small intestine can affect nutrient absorption.
Gastroparesis: This is the illness I have. It literally translates to paralyzed stomach, and is also known as delayed stomach emptying. My stomach muscles contract too slowly to properly empty food. As such, when I eat, the food stays in my stomach for several hours or even days. I get full extremely quickly, and thus can’t eat enough orally to meet my nutritional needs.
3. Head and Neck Cancers:
Oral, Esophageal, or Throat Cancers: Cancer treatments like surgery or radiation may impair the ability to swallow.
4. Traumatic Injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injury: Neurological damage can affect the ability to swallow.
Severe Burns or Trauma: Injuries that impact the digestive system may require temporary artificial nutrition during recovery.
5. Cerebral Palsy:
Individuals with severe forms of cerebral palsy may have difficulties with oral intake.
6. Stroke:
Depending on the severity and location of the stroke, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) may arise.
7. Eating Disorders:
In severe cases of anorexia nervosa, where individuals are at risk of malnutrition, a feeding tube may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
8. Degenerative Diseases:
Huntington’s Disease: A genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.
Muscular Dystrophy: Various forms of muscular dystrophy can lead to muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing.
9. Severe Respiratory Conditions:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Advanced stages of COPD may lead to fatigue during eating and difficulty maintaining proper nutrition.
10. Complex Medical Conditions:
Multiple Organ Failure: In cases where multiple organs are affected, maintaining nutrition can be challenging.
Severe Infections or Sepsis: Critical illness may impact the ability to eat and absorb nutrients.
11. Alzheimer’s Disease:
In advanced stages, individuals with Alzheimer’s may experience difficulty with chewing and swallowing, leading to malnutrition and weight loss.
12. Esophageal Disorders:
Achalasia: A disorder affecting the esophagus that can lead to difficulty swallowing and regurgitation.
Esophageal Stricture: Narrowing of the esophagus, often due to scarring, making it challenging to swallow.
13. Genetic Disorders:
Down Syndrome: Some individuals with Down syndrome may have anatomical or functional issues that affect their ability to eat.
14. Autoimmune Diseases:
Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma): Inflammation and scarring in the digestive tract can impact swallowing and nutrient absorption.
15. Severe Mental Health Disorders:
Severe Depression or Anxiety: Mental health conditions that significantly affect appetite and food intake may require nutritional support through a tube.
16. Premature Birth and Neonatal Conditions:
Premature Infants: In some cases, premature infants with underdeveloped sucking and swallowing reflexes may require tube feeding.
17. Chronic Kidney Disease:
Individuals with advanced kidney disease may need specific dietary restrictions, and tube feeding might be considered to meet nutritional requirements.
18. Severe Dental Issues:
Individuals with extensive dental problems, such as those caused by advanced periodontal disease, may face challenges in chewing and swallowing.