| The decision to accept a feeding tube can often | | | | or aspiration pneumonia? |
| be extremely difficult, with patients expressing | | | | If your answer is "yes," a feeding tube may still |
| fear that they may "never eat again," or family | | | | be a reasonable choice. |
| members worrying that placement of a feeding | | | | Once in place, like in the example above, you may |
| tube represents a terminal stage in the disease | | | | actually begin to feel better once you are |
| progression. | | | | receiving improved nutrition via the feeding tube. |
| Any decision to place a feeding tube should | | | | Some food or liquid may still be safely taken |
| always, first and foremost, be done with regard | | | | normally, and in this instance, it may be smaller |
| to what the individual, the patient, wants. If they | | | | amounts for "pleasure" and for social functions, |
| are clear thinking and able to express their wishes, | | | | with most of your nutrition coming form the tube. |
| those wishes should be respected. If the patient is | | | | 3. Are you or a family member gravely ill from an |
| unconscious or unable to communicate, than a | | | | illness from which survival is unlikely? Has the |
| health care surrogate, the person speaking on | | | | patient stopped eating as a symptom of the |
| their behalf, will have to make that decision, based | | | | progression of dementia? |
| on prior preferences expressed by the individual. | | | | If you have answered "yes," a feeding tube may |
| There is no correct answer for every situation. | | | | not be the best choice. Research in this area |
| But below are some questions to consider: | | | | suggests that placement of a feeding tube will not |
| 1. Do you (if you are the patient) or does the | | | | likely add to quality of life, and may actually |
| patient have a swallowing problem related to a | | | | interfere with the natural progression of the |
| disease or illness from which full or some | | | | disease process which is typically not painful or |
| recovery is expected? Examples of this might be: | | | | uncomfortable |
| someone undergoing head and neck cancer | | | | If the individual is still awake and responding, a |
| treatment, someone who has suffered a recent | | | | swallowing therapist can be helpful in identifying |
| stroke or head injury. Someone in the early | | | | those foods and liquid consistencies which can be |
| stages of ALS with mild to moderate swallowing | | | | taken most safely. This may include foods that |
| difficulty. | | | | are blenderized or liquids that are thickened so |
| If your answer is "yes," a feeding tube might | | | | they can be held more safely in the mouth and |
| represent the best of both worlds. Once in place, | | | | be less likely to get misdirected into the windpipe. |
| the feeding tube can provide a way to maintain | | | | A decision to have a feeding tube placed can lead |
| or gain weight safely, while still eating or drinking | | | | to family squabbles, guilt, or fear. The decision |
| some things by mouth. In this instance, a speech | | | | should never be forced upon anyone, and you |
| pathologist or swallowing therapist can guide the | | | | should always ask for enough information to |
| patient regarding safe food choices. If recovery | | | | make an informed choice. A speech-language |
| of safe swallowing function eventually occurs, the | | | | pathologist/swallowing therapist can help you |
| feeding tube can be easily removed and you will | | | | understand all of the options and guide and |
| go on to eat normally like before your illness. | | | | support you into making the best decision for |
| 2. Is your disease a progressive disease,which | | | | your particular situation. |
| now has caused overall weakness and weight loss | | | | |