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Eating and nutrition

Nasogastric tube

A thin tube passed through the nose down into the stomach, used as a short-term way of giving food and fluid.

What it means

It goes in without an operation and comes out just as easily, which makes it useful for a short period or while a decision is being made. It is not usually a long-term arrangement, because it is uncomfortable and visible.

Why you might hear it

  • It may be used in hospital, or while waiting for a gastrostomy.
  • It is sometimes offered as a way of trying tube feeding before committing.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.