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 5.
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
How Do I Know If I Need a Feeding Tube?
The decision to use a feeding tube is typically made by healthcare professionals based on a thorough assessment of an individual’s medical condition, nutritional needs, and ability to consume food orally. If you are experiencing certain health challenges, it is essential to consult with your healthcare team, including physicians, dietitians, and specialists, to come to the decision on whether a feeding tube is necessary.
Your health team may consider a feeding a tube for you if you have certain neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic illnesses, or have an inability to eat for other reasons.
However, feeding tubes are considered a drastic, life-saving measure. For this reason, doctors may not be too keen to offer this treatment. So what do you do if you believe that you may benefit from a feeding tube, but your healthcare team hasn’t discussed it with you yet?
Signs You May Benefit From a Feeding Tube:
Here are some signs and situations that may indicate it’s time to bring up the topic of a feeding tube:
1. Significant Weight Loss:
If you have experienced substantial and unintentional weight loss, especially if it is impacting your overall health and well-being, it may be an appropriate time to discuss the potential need for a feeding tube.
2. Persistent Swallowing Difficulties:
If you consistently struggle with swallowing, leading to challenges in maintaining adequate oral nutrition, this is a crucial concern to share with your healthcare team.
3. Chronic Malnutrition:
If you have been diagnosed with chronic malnutrition, and oral intake alone is insufficient to meet your nutritional needs, a feeding tube may be a viable option.
4. Difficulty Eating Due to Pain or Fatigue:
If you experience pain, fatigue, or other physical limitations that make eating challenging or uncomfortable, discussing alternative nutritional support through a feeding tube may be beneficial.
5. Inadequate Caloric Intake:
If you are unable to consume enough calories through regular meals and snacks, and your healthcare team hasn’t addressed this concern, it’s essential to bring it up.
6. Decline in Overall Health:
A noticeable decline in your overall health, energy levels, or ability to perform daily activities may prompt a discussion about alternative nutrition strategies, including the possibility of a feeding tube.
7. Chronic Illness Management:
If you are managing a chronic illness that requires careful attention to nutrition, and you find it challenging to meet those requirements through regular eating, a feeding tube may be considered.
I knew that I needed a feeding tube quite quickly after getting sick. While many people with gastroparesis have a slow onset of symptoms, or only ever have mild symptoms, I had extremely severe symptoms overnight. I literally went from being completely healthy one day to not being able to eat anything the next. And I really couldn’t eat anything. If I had anything more than 2 crackers in a day, I would throw up.
I lost about 30 pounds in a month. And I wasn’t responding to any medications that we could try. So to me and my health team, it was quite obvious that I needed a drastic intervention. But this isn’t always the case.
Advocate For Yourself:
In this case, it’s essential to advocate for yourself and initiate a conversation with your healthcare providers. Sometimes you do know better than your health team, and know what the best decision is. When approaching your healthcare team about the possibility of a feeding tube, consider the following steps:
1. Open Communication:
Be open and honest about your challenges with oral intake and any concerns you have about your nutritional status.
2. Express Your Needs:
Clearly communicate your desire to explore options for nutritional support, including the potential use of a feeding tube.
3. Ask Questions:
Inquire about the benefits and potential risks of tube feeding, and seek information about how it could positively impact your health.
Tube feeding can be difficult and complicated. It also doesn’t work for everyone. If your health team is hesitant, ask them why.
4. Request a Nutritional Assessment:
Request a thorough nutritional assessment to determine if your current dietary intake is meeting your needs or if alternative methods, such as tube feeding, should be considered.
5. Involve a Dietitian:
Ask to involve a registered dietitian in the discussion to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your nutritional needs and the best approach for meeting them. You will likely be working with a whole health team including doctors, nurses, and dietitians.
Remember that you are an active participant in your healthcare, and your input is valuable. If you believe a feeding tube could improve your nutritional status and overall well-being, don’t hesitate to initiate a conversation with your healthcare team. They are there to support you and work collaboratively to find the most appropriate solutions for your health needs.
It’s important to note that the decision to use a feeding tube is individualized and depends on a thorough evaluation of your specific health condition. Your healthcare team will consider factors such as your overall health, medical history, nutritional requirements, and the feasibility of oral intake. They will discuss the potential benefits and risks of tube feeding with you and should involve you in the decision-making process.