How to care for a feeding tube?

Living with a feeding tube can feel like being the world’s least picky eater. But just because you don’t have much of an appetite doesn’t mean your feeding tube doesn’t need some TLC! Here are some tips on how to keep your tube happy and healthy.

Cleanliness is Next to Tubeliness

First things first: make sure that everything that comes into contact with your feeding tube is clean as a whistle. That means scrubbing all external surfaces of the tubing with soap and hot water twice daily, or even more frequently if there is any drainage or crusting around the insertion site.

It also means changing out the dressing over your gastrostomy site (if you have one) whenever it becomes soiled or damp- which may be up to three times per week, depending on how quickly you heal or produce discharge. Use sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, and possibly waterproof covers or dressings designed specifically for gastrostomies. Never use lotions, powders, alcohol wipes, perfume sprays etc,to clean the area around the stoma unless directed by your medical professional.

Soup Up Your Formula

Nobody gets excited about drinking plain old Vanilla Ensure every day — not even Mary Berry! So why force yourself to suffer through something so bland? There are plenty of ways to add variety and taste explosion(Pow!)to what goes in that plastic bag.

  • Add ice cubes made from fruit juice instead of plain water
  • Mix canned smoothies containing nuts,berry blends,pineapple etc into formula
  • Experiment with different formulas–some patients tolerate dairy-based supplements better than others ,allergy status mustbe considered while altering dietetics.
    But always remember -discuss these changes with healthcare officials before making adjustments.However tempting they might seem ,taste does not come at any cost.Health professionals will guide you through the amounts of each individual ingredient needed to meet your nutritional needs.

Be Ready for Emergencies

Nobody likes to think about worst-case scenarios, especially emergencies involving our health. But it’s important to be prepared just in case.

Make sure you have phone numbers for all medical professionals involved in your feeding tube care jotted down somewhere easily accessible: a post-it note on the fridge,mobile-phone, laptop etc. Don’t forget emergency services with whom medics regularly contact(SRIM) if you experience sudden changes such as severe nausea,vomiting,uncontrolled pain or diarrhea.Remove any obvious obstructions or kinks along the tubing.Many of these events can be dealt with quickly over video chat, while others may require an immediate office visit,giving yourself easy access to medication and fluids will help ease discomfort.However,it is best not solve every situation by ourselves,lending ears from loved ones are always helpful.

Stock Up on Supplies (and Sharpies!)

You never know when something might break,dent,hole or malfunction–it could be Thursday afternoon ,evening tea-time etc.So make sure that there is enough backing supplies and extra tubes available at home .The last thing anyone wants is drone-ing uselessly around town searching for medical supplies.Likewise invest in brand-new sharpies -for indicating tube length,date,time of placement.Must take into account marking guidelines recommended by doctor/medical team.

Organize backups based on frequency/time V.E resupply instructions given/suggested ex- :

  • Formula cases
  • Extension sets
  • Administered syringes
    Re-order items before they finish so that you don’t run out unexpectedly.Connectdirectly with manufacturers for setting up automatic delivery systems like Amazon Pantry.

In conclusion,your feeding tube needs regular attention.Taking steps towards maintaining proper hygiene,knowledgeable experiments with formulas,maintaining back-up products,preserving documentation–help keep the tube secure and calm as a cucumber.Be safe and have fun with food!

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