The choice to accept a feeding tube can frequently be very challenging. Patients may voice concern that they may “never eat again,” and family members may worry that the placement of a feeding tube signifies the end of the patient’s life.
Any choice regarding the placement of a enfit extension set feeding tube should always be made with the patient’s wishes in mind. If they are capable of speaking clearly and expressing their wishes, such requests ought to be honoured. A healthcare surrogate, the person speaking on behalf of the patient if they are unconscious or unable to communicate, will have to make that choice based on the patient’s prior wishes.
For every circumstance, there is no right response. But the following are some issues to think about:
- Do you or the patient (if you are the patient) have a swallowing issue connected to a condition from which full or partial recovery is anticipated? Examples of this could include someone receiving treatment for head and neck cancer, someone who just had a stroke, or someone who recently sustained a head injury. someone with mild to moderate swallowing issues who is in the early stages of ALS
If you said “yes,” then a feeding tube might be the best of both worlds for you. Once implanted, the feeding tube can offer a safe means of maintaining or gaining weight while continuing to eat or drink some things orally. In this situation, the patient can receive advice on healthy diet options from a speech pathologist or swallowing therapist. You can easily remove the feeding tube if safe swallowing function ultimately returns, and you can resume eating normally as you did before your sickness.
- Is your illness progressing and causing aspiration pneumonia or generalised weakness and weight loss?
If you said “yes,” a feeding tube might still be an intelligent option.
You may actually start to feel better once the feeding tube is in place, as in the case above, as you start receiving better nutrients. In this situation, it may be okay to consume a limited amount of food or liquids for “pleasure” and social occasions, with the majority of your nourishment coming via the tube.
- Do you or a member of your family have a serious illness from which recovery is unlikely? Has the patient’s eating ceased as a sign of their dementia getting worse?
A feeding tube may not be the greatest option if you said “yes” to the question. According to research in this field, implantation of a feeding tube is unlikely to improve quality of life and may even impede the disease’s normal development, which is normally neither painful or uncomfortable.
A swallowing therapist might be useful in determining which foods and liquid consistencies can be consumed most securely if the person is still awake and reacting. This could apply to foods that have been blended or liquids that have been thickened so they can be kept in the mouth more securely and are less likely to accidentally enter the windpipe.
The choice to have a feeding tube implanted may result in arguments within the family, shame, or dread. Never force somebody to make a decision, and always request enough information to make a well-informed judgement. You can get guidance and assistance from a speech-language pathologist or swallowing therapist to help you understand all of your options and choose the best course of action for your unique circumstances.
