How To Effectively Help A Loved One With Tube Feeding
What is tube feeding?
Facts about tube feeding
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Maintaining tube feed hygiene is essential in keeping our loved ones healthy. Wash and clean the tube several times a day. This is necessary to wash off all the feed remnants in the box. If not cleaned off properly, it can become a potential source of infection for our loved ones.
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Tube feeding is not a painful process in itself. But having the tube inside your body can become unbearable. Imagine having a foreign body inside your body around the clock. It can become irritating and sad in the long run. In the process, granulated tissues gradually get deposited around the tube. This can cause intense pain during the movement of the abdominal muscles. Moreover, these granular tissues cannot be easily removed. And can make matters difficult during the tube feeding process.
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What does tube feeding mean? In medical terms, tube feeding means enteral feeding.
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Our loved ones with a tube inserted can take a bath regularly. However, caregivers should be careful while bathing them. Because if water gets inside the stomach, it can lead to infections.
Ways to perfect your tube feeds
Continuous feeding
Bolus feeding
Combination feeding

Feeding tubes does not mean the end of the world.
Many think having a feeding tube means “the end of the world.” However, this is not true. A feeding tube will allow you to create the function normally. Despite specific organ disabilities you are living with. This will affect all facets of your life. But it will still allow you to do your daily activities normally. Let’s learn how to live an everyday life with a feeding tube. Here is how:
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Change your sleeping position. You will have to change your favorite sleeping position. For this, we need to teach our loved ones to either sleep on their back or side.
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Ask for help with daily activities. Normal activities can get complex. The tube can come in the way of everyday activities. However, we can help our loved ones with their daily routine until they slowly adjust to the tube.
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Traveling will be a bit different. Carry an extra feeding bag for traveling. You must get the doctor’s consent if you want to travel by air.
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Bathing and Pools can be a challenge. So take special precautions while bathing. And avoid all public pools to cut the risk of infection.
Call your health care provider.
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The skin around the tube area has turned red and is warm to the touch.
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There is more drainage than usual, and it has a foul smell.
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There is a change in the color of the drainage, which is coffee-colored.
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If there is a fever accompanied by vomiting and or nausea.
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Sudden weight loss or rapid weight gain.
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Your loved one may get constipated or may experience diarrhea.
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Stomach pain or gets bloated and feels tight.
Conclusion
Tube Feeding is not the end of the world but a new normal. By following the above tips and suggestions, you will be fine. If at any time, do not hesitate to call your doctor’s office for advice. It can be challenging to attend to your loved one with tube feeding, but it’s not impossible. With the proper knowledge, you can do this. Remember to care for yourself and keep your business going while caregiving. I’m here to assist you on this journey. Schedule your planning session with me to see how to keep your life and business running smoothly. Also, here is an article about how food can boost and benefit many illnesses. Finally, check out this article about feeding your loved ones.