January 23, 2017
With Feeding Tube Awareness Week coming up, we want to highlight the many reasons why someone might need a feeding tube. From infants to adults—and every stage of life in between—there are a wide variety of individuals who may require tube feeding at some point. But, why do people need feeding tubes in the first place? This is a question you may be asked if you or your loved one has a tube. Below is a list of some of the more common medical conditions that may lead someone to a feeding tube.
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GASTROINTESTIONAL/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS:
- Crohn’s Disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Chronic Renal Failure
- Chronic Gastrointestinal Stenosis or Ileus
- Congenital Abnormalities
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying)
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Head/Neck Trauma
- Reconstructive Facial Surgery
- Premature Birth and/or Failure to Thrive (low weight for the child’s age)
- Prolonged Coma
- Severe Reflux
- Short bowel syndrome (SBS)
- Tracheoesophageal Fistula
NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Bulbar Palsy (Paralysis)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cerebrovascular Stroke
- Dementia
- Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD) or Generalized Neurodevelopmental Disorder
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s
OTHER:
- AIDS Wasting
- Burn Injury
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Leukemia
- Malnutrition
- Geriatric Dysfunctions
- Organ Transplant/ Organ Failure
- Perioperative Nutrition
- Polytrauma
- Wound Treatment