Our nurse will give you a simple daily care plan. Key points include: Keep the nostril clean: Use a damp cotton cloth to wipe away any dried secretions around the tube daily. Check the tape: Ensure it’s snug and the tube hasn’t shifted (remember the marking by the nose). Mouth care: Even if not eating by mouth, patients should rinse mouth or brush teeth regularly to keep it clean and moist (this also prevents infections and makes them feel fresh). Don’t tug or pull: Be careful during movement or changing clothes that the tube doesn’t get yanked. We might suggest the patient wear shirts that button rather than tight neck t-shirts to avoid catching the tube.

This can happen occasionally perhaps the patient coughed hard or pulled at it in sleep. If it comes out completely, don’t panic. Do not try to reinsert it yourself. Keep the patient calm and sitting up (to prevent any choking if they just had a feed). Call us immediately we have 24/7 service for emergencies like this. We will send a nurse to reinsert the tube as soon as possible. In the meantime, if the patient is dependent on the tube for medication or critical hydration, we might guide you on temporary steps (like giving small sips of ORS if they can swallow and are alert, etc.).

It depends on the patient’s condition. Some patients can still have small sips of water or even certain foods by mouth (for pleasure or as rehab) while on tube feeds, if the doctor allows. The NG tube itself doesn’t always prevent swallowing. However, if the patient’s swallow is unsafe (which is often why they have the tube), oral intake might be restricted to very little or none to avoid choking. The doctor or speech therapist usually guides this. If clearance is given for oral trials, our nurse can assist in those practice sessions too, carefully. We never give oral food without confirming ability to swallow safely.

NG tubes are generally a short-to-medium term solution. Typically, they are used for several days up to a few weeks or a couple of months. They are not ideal for very long-term (beyond 6-8 weeks) because of discomfort and risk of nasal tissue irritation, among other factors. If someone needs tube feeding for longer, doctors often recommend a more permanent solution like a PEG (feeding tube directly into the stomach via a minor surgery). We can help facilitate that discussion with your doctor if the time comes. For the medium term, many patients do fine on NG tubes for weeks. We’ll keep a close eye on the nasal passage and throat; if we notice any significant issues or if it becomes too uncomfortable, we’ll raise it with you and your doctor.