Feeding Tubes: The Basics
What is a feeding tube?
A feeding tube is used to supply nutrition when a person is unable to eat or absorb nutrients through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract because of illness. You can receive nutrition (vitamins, nutrients and calories), hydration, and medications through the feeding tube.
There are many different feeding tubes, such as:
- Nasogastric tube (NG-tube, NGT): An NG-tube is a small thin tube, placed through the nose and throat and down into the stomach. NGTs are often used for short periods of time (usually 4 weeks or less).
- Nasojejunal tube (NJT): This is like an NG-tube, except it passes through the stomach into one of the upper parts of the intestine, called the jejunum.
- Gastrostomy Tube (G-tube or peg tube): G-Tubes are surgically inserted directly into the stomach. G-tubes can be used in people with longer term feeding/nutrition needs.
- Gastrostomy-Jejunostomy or GJ-tube (Transgastric-Jejunal or TJ tube): The GJ-Tube is surgically inserted through the abdominal wall, into the stomach and down into the jejunum (intestine).
- Jejunostomy or J-tube: The J-tube is surgically inserted through the abdominal wall, directly into the jejunum, past the stomach.
Your care team will decide which tube is right for you based on your diagnosis, length of time you might need nutrition therapy, how well your stomach and intestines work, and nutritional needs.
How are feedings given?
Once your feeding tube is placed, you will slowly start feeding through the tube until you reach your calorie/hydration goal. Tube feeds are started slowly to allow the body to adjust to the feeding, and to watch for gastroperesis (when the stomach is unable to empty food into the intestine), aspiration (when contents from the stomach are coughed up or back up and enter the airway), and nausea or vomiting.
Tube feedings are given either through:
- A bolus: Formula is given with a syringe, directly into the feeding tube at regular intervals during the day.
- Continuous feeds: Formula is given through a pump over a fixed period of time (24 hours, 12 hours, or overnight) in a slower, more consistent manner than bolus feeds.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how to give medications through the tube (as well as if there are medications that cannot go through the tube or need a special formulation to go through the tube).
Where do I get the feedings?
Your healthcare providers will work with your insurance to identify who will provide your tube feeding formula and supplies. This may be done through a durable medical equipment company (DME) or through a homecare/home infusion provider. You will likely be referred for home nursing to provide teaching and to monitor your progress with taking care of your tube feeds. Of note, for most insurance providers to cover tube feedings, those tube feedings must be your only source of nutritional intake. If you are able to tolerate eating by mouth, your insurance company may not cover the cost of your tube feedings.
If your insurance will not cover your formula, there may be patient assistance programs available through the manufacturer. Your oncology social worker or navigator can help refer you to these programs. The Oley Foundation () is a non-profit organization that maintains a list of equipment and supplies that have been donated, as well as education, advocacy, and networking opportunities.