What Is Tube Fed?

A feeding tube is a medical device used to provide nutrition to people who cannot obtain nutrition by mouth, are unable to swallow safely, or need nutritional supplementation. The state of being fed by a feeding tube is called gavage, enteral feeding or tube feeding.

What is being tube fed?

Tube feeding is a way of getting your body the nutrition it needs. Tube feed is a liquid form of nourishment that's delivered to your body through a flexible tube. The nutrients within the tube feed are similar to what you would get from normal food, and are also digested in the same way.

What happens when you are tube fed?

If you're unable to eat and drink like you used to, a feeding tube can help you get the nutrition you need and lower your chances of choking. Depending on your situation, the tube will run either through your nose or into your stomach or intestines. You don't need surgery for a nasal tube.