Managing Nutrition Issues While Tube Feeding at Home

MANAGING NUTRITION ISSUES WHILE TUBE FEEDING AT HOME Patients and caregivers should consult with their health care provider regarding any signs or symptoms (diarrhea, dehydration, constipation) of concern associated with tube feeding. FIVE HELPFUL TIPS: What should you 1. For diarrhea know about your If you are experiencing cramps or fullness, wait 30 to 60 minutes body adjusting to for cramps or fullness to subside before starting a feeding. tube feeding? Feed formula more slowly. • It may take time for ! your gastrointestinal system to get used Administer only the prescribed volume of formula and water. to tube feeding at home. Be patient. Allow the formula to reach room temperature prior to feeding. • Conditions like constipation, Consult your doctor to see if you can take over-the-counter dehydration or medications for treating diarrhea. diarrhea prevent you from getting proper nutrition 2. For dehydration while tube feeding. • Talk to your doctor Talk to your health care provider about getting extra or nurse if you water before, after, or between feedings. are experiencing symptoms. Ask your health care provider if you should change your feeding schedule, formula, or water. 3. For constipation Talk to your health care provider about adding more water. Exercise and be as active as possible. Record the times of your bowel movements and try to establish a daily routine. Talk to your health care provider about whether you should change your formula, medications, or take over-the-counter medications for treating constipation.

4. Recognize signs and symptoms associated with intolerance or dehydration Emotionally Adjusting to • Stomach cramps Tube Feeding • Frequent loose bowel movements Getting used to your feeding • Feeling of fullness and/or discomfort tube will take time, but it’s important to remember that • Increased thirst you can still do many of the • Dry lips things you always enjoyed. With • Small amounts of dark, strong-smelling urine time and patience, tube feeding • Hard stools that are difÏcult to pass can become an ordinary part of • Loss of appetite your day. • Loss of interest in usual activities • Feeling down or blue • Fatigue 5. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have: • Abdominal pain, cramping, or diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours Visit www.Oley.org to read • Signs of dehydration, including increased thirst or dry lips inspiring stories about people • Unusual weakness who successfully integrated tube feeding into their lives. • Vomiting Additional comments Call 1-800-776-OLEY (6359) or visit Oley.org for more information about tube feeding. Abott is a supporter of the Oley Foundation. This material has undergone review and approval by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). This guidance does not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be taken as such. To the extent that the information published herein may be used to assist in the care of patients, this is the result of the sole professional judgment of the attending health care professional whose judgment is the primary component of quality medical care. The information presented in these recommendations is not a substitute for the exercise of such judgment by the health care professional. Circumstances in clinical settings and patient indications may require actions different from the guidance in this document. In those cases, the judgment of the treating professional should prevail. Follow instructions from the manufacturer of the feeding set. ©2022 Abbott 202212217/November 2022 LITHO IN USA