Practical SLP Info©
  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer

Why Feeding Tubes are Used

Picture
There are many reasons why a feeding tube may be used. Although many patients may be reluctant to have a feeding tube, understanding the benefits of the tube, as well as the risks associated with not using a feeding tube, may help with this decision.

Post-operative Recovery
In this practice, any extensive surgery impacting the mouth or throat will require the use of feeding tube for at least the post-operative recovery period. It is important the surgical wounds are not exposed to contamination by food/liquid during the recovery process, which may interfere with wound healing and even lead to infection.

Ongoing Cancer Treatment
This practice cares for a great deal of cancer patients, many of whom require chemotherapy and/or radiation during the course of their treatment. Adequate nutrition is key in promoting good endurance as well as healing. During the course of treatment, it may not be possible to take in sufficient nutrition/hydration by mouth. In these cases, the feeding tube can be helpful to adequately nourish and hydrate the patient.

Extensive Surgery
Although all surgeries involving the mouth and throat may require a period of post-operative recovery when a feeding tube is needed, more extensive surgeries that involve partial or complete removal of certain mouth/throat structures may require more long term use of a feeding tube.  Certain structures are critical in allowing for a safe and effective swallow, without significant risk for aspiration, when food/liquid enter the trachea. Depending on the extent of the surgery, rehabilitation may be required before the patient can safely return to eating by mouth.

Dysphagia
This is a term used to describe a problem with the patient’s ability to safely and effectively eat/drink by mouth. Dysphagia can occur for a variety of reasons, although in this practice, it is typically the result of surgery and/or additional cancer treatment. The SLP staff is extensively trained in the field of dysphagia and apply the latest in rehabilitative methods to restore the ability to swallow as quickly as possible. However, depending on the severity of the dysphagia, a feeding tube may be required to ensure nutritional needs are safely met during rehabilitation.

Your doctor and SLP staff will determine when it is ok for you to return to eating by mouth.


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  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer