You may have seen a small, thin tube inserted into the nose of some patients at the hospital. Or maybe your doctor has told you that someone in your family needs one. It's normal to feel a little scared, curious, and even sad when you see this. This is what we call an NG tube, or in medical terms, a nasogastric tube. Okay, let's talk about this in a very simple and friendly way and clear up all the questions you have about this.
Simply put, what is this NG tube?
An NG tube is a very thin, flexible plastic tube. It is used for temporary medical purposes. The word "nasogastric" means "nose to stomach." This means that this tube is designed to be inserted into one side of your nose, passed through your throat, down your esophagus, and into your stomach . Doctors use this tube mainly to put things into your stomach, or to remove things from your stomach.
Why is it necessary to insert this NG tube?
There are two main reasons for inserting an NG tube. One is to give food and medicine. The other is to remove stomach contents. Let's look at these two separately.
| Purpose of use | Description and required cases |
|---|---|
| Tube Feeding | This tube is used to deliver necessary nutrition and medications in liquid form directly into the stomach when a person is unable to eat or drink normally by mouth. We call this 'tube feeding' (enteral nutrition). This situation can occur:
|
| Gastric Suction | This tube is also used to drain the contents of the stomach. We also call this 'gastric lavage'. This situation can occur:
|
Are there main types of NG tubes?
Yes, there are two main types. Both are designed to suit the two main purposes we discussed above.
1. Single Lumen
It has only one thin tube. It can only send things like food and medicine in one direction, that is, into the stomach. It is made very thin to minimize discomfort when worn for several weeks.
2. Double Lumen
This has two tubes connected together. One is a little wider, the other is narrower. The wider tube is used to suck out the contents of the stomach (suction). Then, a little air goes into the stomach through that narrow tube. Simply put, it's like a vacuum cleaner that gets stuck in the wall and works again if you make a small hole, because of this narrow tube that lets air through, the big tube doesn't get stuck in the wall of the stomach and get stuck.
What do you do before inserting the tube?
This is done by a trained doctor or nurse. So they prepare you very carefully for this.
- Explanation: First, we will explain the process to you and obtain your signed consent.
- Position: If possible, you will be placed upright in bed.
- Lubrication: A special type of lubricating gel is applied to the tip of the tube for a few inches to facilitate easy insertion.
- Numbness: An anesthetic, such as lidocaine, is injected into the nose and throat to numb the area. This can greatly reduce discomfort.
- Measuring the length: Measure in advance how long the tube needs to go into the stomach to fit your body size, and mark that spot on the tube.
How is the NG tube inserted?
This is something that is done very delicately and carefully.
1. The trained doctor or nurse will insert the tube through one of your nostrils and guide it straight down the back of your throat.
2. When the tube reaches the back of your throat, you will be asked to lean forward slightly and sip some water through a straw and swallow.
3. As you swallow the water, the tube easily moves down the esophagus and into the stomach. This is the most important step.
4. If you experience any major discomfort, such as coughing or choking, they will stop immediately, wait a while, and try again.
5. Once the tube is in the correct position as previously measured and marked, gently tape it to the nose and cheek with a plaster so that it does not move.
The most important thing is to stay calm at this time. This is not as difficult as you might think if you follow the instructions given by the medical staff.
How do you check if the tube is properly inserted into the stomach?
This is the most important and must-do thing . Because it is very dangerous if the tube goes into the lungs by mistake. Therefore, there are two main ways to confirm that the tube is actually in the stomach.
1. Chest X-ray: This is the 100% most accurate and best method. After the tube is first inserted, an X-ray is taken to see exactly where the end of the tube is. However, it is not practical to take X-rays every time someone has the tube in place.
2. Aspirate pH test: This is the second best and most commonly used method. Here, a syringe is attached to the tube and a small amount of the fluid in the stomach is taken out. Then the acidity (pH) of that fluid is tested. Since the stomach contains acidic fluid (gastric acid), if the pH is low, it means that the tube is in the stomach.
Does it hurt a lot when you wear this?
To be honest, it's more of a 'discomfort' than a 'pain'. You may feel a little strange, like a tickle in the throat, during insertion. But doctors take steps to minimize this discomfort as much as possible.
- Giving medicine to numb the pain.
- Using lubricating gel.
- Glue the tube well so that it doesn't move.
- Always clean the area where the tube touches the nose and apply a cream to prevent damage to the skin.
These things can help manage the discomfort to a great extent.
How long can an NG tube be left in?
An NG tube is usually designed to be used for less than six weeks . If a person needs to be fed through a tube for longer than that, their doctor will likely recommend another method. For example, a gastrostomy tube is a tube that is inserted directly into the stomach through a small incision in the skin. Although it requires minor surgery, it is safer in the long run.
What are the advantages and possible complications of this method?
As with any medical procedure, there are benefits as well as minor risks.
| Advantages | Possible Complications |
|---|---|
| Major complications are rare when the tube is inserted properly, but the following can occur:
The most serious complication, which can occur very rarely , is the tube accidentally entering the trachea and into the lungs. However, because this is done by trained staff and is checked with an X-ray afterwards, the likelihood of this happening is very low. |
Situations where you should inform your doctor immediately
If you or someone you know has an NG tube in place, notify a doctor or nurse without delay if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- If the area where the tube was inserted is red, swollen, or has a fever (these are signs of infection).
- If you have coughing, difficulty breathing, or vomiting while the tube is in place.
- If the tube feels clogged or not working.
- If the tube comes off by mistake or if you remove it yourself.
- If blood comes out through the tube or with the stool.
Having an NG tube can be a bit uncomfortable, but it's something that can be tolerated, and sometimes it's necessary to save a life or speed up recovery from an illness. So, don't worry about it. This is just a temporary thing for your well-being.
Take-Home Message
- An NG tube is a thin, temporary tube that is inserted through the nose into the stomach.
- Its two main purposes are to deliver food/medicine and to remove contents from the stomach.
- This is inserted by trained medical staff, who take steps to minimize discomfort.
- An X-ray or pH test will definitely confirm that the tube is in the correct position.
- If you experience any problems with the tube (fever, pain, difficulty breathing), notify your doctor immediately.
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