Feeding/Nasogastric Tube

With the big tube in their mouth for breathing, patients cannot swallow food or water. If a patient can't eat for a long time, a tube will be placed in the nose, down the throat, through the stomach, and into the intestines. This tube is called a feeding tube. The feeding tube puts liquid nutrition (food) into the digestive system (stomach/intestines). The food helps the patient to get well faster.

Sometimes there is another tube called a nasogastric (NG) tube. This tube is also placed through the nose, but stops in the stomach. The NG tube is used to remove food or liquids from the stomach.