What are gavage feedings?

Gavage feeding is a process in which a person is fed with liquid nutrients using a tube inserted into their stomach or intestines. It is often used for people who cannot eat normally, such as those who have difficulty swallowing, or those who are receiving certain medical treatments.

There are two main types of gavage feeding:

* Nasogastric (NG) feeding: The tube is inserted through the nose and into the stomach.

* Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding: The tube is inserted through the skin and into the stomach.

Gavage feeding can provide several benefits, including:

* Ensured nutrition: Gavage feeding ensures that people receive adequate nutrition, even if they cannot eat normally.

* Reduced risk of aspiration: Gavage feeding reduces the risk of aspiration, or accidentally inhaling food or liquid into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

* Improved hydration: Gavage feeding helps maintain hydration, especially in those who have difficulty drinking fluids.

* Less discomfort: Gavage feeding can cause less discomfort than other methods of feeding, such as total parenteral nutrition (TPN).