What is an ng tube?

If you’re feeling a bit uneasy about hearing the words “Nasogastric tube,” don’t worry! We’ve got you. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about what an NG tube is (excluding how it feels when it’s inserted into your nose and throat, because…phew).

Starting with the basics: What exactly is an NG tube?

Simply put, a nasogastric (NG) tube is a long and thin flexible tube that goes through your nostril all the way down to your stomach or intestine. It can be temporary or permanent – but really, who would ever want one permanently?!

Wait… why would anyone EVER need an NG Tube?!

Well let’s list out the reasons!

Why do people need them?

• To drain fluid from their stomach
• With gastrointestinal issues
• such as bowel obstructions
• To feed nutrients directly into their digestive system
• helpful when someone has trouble swallowing food so they can maintain proper nutrition.

Soooo how does one insert these tubes?

Spoiler Alert: You won’t be doing it yourself. Although I’m sure there are some daredevils out there who might try…

In all seriousness though, physicians skillfully place them in through your nostril to ensure they reach where they should without too much discomfort.

But before we get ahead of ourselves…

The physician will first determine which nostril direction leads more straightly towards the stomach by inserting lubricated soft tubing called “guidewire” into both nostrils^1.

Nostril Direction	Guidewire goes toward this side
Right	Wire turns left at nosebridge
Left	Wire turns right at nosebridge

Once they establish that, then they will place the NG tube through the nostril that leads directly to the stomach, usually with a lube called lidocaine for numbing purposes.

And once it’s placed?

When an NG tube is placed you’ll have small tubes coming out of your nose and they’ll be attached to something called port or valve which lets doctors quickly connect various solutions to them without much hassle. Now let’s explore some other things you should know about after getting these lovely tubes inserted.

How long do people keep their NG Tubes in?!

There are no hard rules for this! But here are some guidelines:

• Feeding tubes may stay in for months
• The ultimate amount of time will depend on each person’s individual condition.
• Liquid removal ones are usually used until excess fluid has drained away

So, while there is no definite answer as to how long someone would need one like these, physicians help determine an appropriate length keeping patient comfort in mind!!

Warnings:

If any patient ever experiences discomfort such as pain or bleedings please report it immediately!

Speaking of uncomfortability… When might patients experience complications?^2

The following side effects might occur:

• Infections
• Breakage/Damage inside nasal passages/stomach over time
• Aspiration (inhaling food or liquid into lungs)
• Thankfully aspiration pneumonia can oftenbe prevented if practised care fixes its onset EARLY ON!!!

Time To Say Goodbye..

It’s important to note that removing an NG Tube must be done by a physician so don’t just yank it out yourself (we’re looking at YOU).

Most importantly, remember not everything requires serious panic.. sometimes laughter really can be great medicine 😉

Sources:
1) Santosh Kumar Dhaked et al., “Nasotracheal Intubation,”Anesthesiology Research and Practice 2014
2) Hubble MW, Adams D, Kressly S: “Clinical practice guideline for emergency department procedural sedation with propofol,” Annals of Emergency Medicine.YesNo.