Enteral Tube Feeding: What You Need To Know

Understanding and Implementing Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) and Tube Feeding

Home Enteral Nutrition, or HEN, is a method of feeding that uses the digestive system directly. A tube delivers nutrition to the stomach or small intestine.

HEN is utilized for individuals who cannot consume enough food by mouth due to diseases, surgeries, or other medical conditions.

Implementing tube feeding at home involves several key steps. Cleanliness is crucial throughout the process. This includes:

Washing hands before handling the tube or formula.
Preparation of the formula.
Flushing the feeding tube with water.

The next step is connecting the syringe filled with formula to the feeding port and administering the formula slowly. It is important to maintain an upright position during and after feedings to prevent reflux complications.

Home Enteral Nutrition allows for the maintenance of nutritional health efficiently for those unable to consume sufficient food orally.

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Conditions and Types of Feeding Tubes

Feeding tubes are medical devices that provide nutrition to patients who cannot eat on their own due to various reasons. Conditions that may necessitate the use of feeding tubes include stroke, cancer, neurological disorders, and severe burns.

There are two main categories of feeding tubes: nasogastric and enterostomal.

Nasogastric feeding tubes run from the nose to the stomach. They are generally considered short-term solutions and are typically used for less than six weeks.
Enterostomal feeding tubes consist of several types based on their termination point:
- Gastrostomy (G) tubes end in the stomach.
- Jejunostomy (J) tubes terminate in the midsection of the small intestine, known as the jejunum.
- Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tubes feature two ports but only one insertion point into the body; one port leads to the stomach, while the other goes to the jejunum.

Choosing the appropriate type of feeding tube depends on the underlying condition necessitating its use and the anticipated duration of its necessity.