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Feeding Tubes: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions
Part of ALS Network
USIndependent publisher
This describes who publishes a source, not how reliable it is.
Open source (opens in a new tab)Link checked August 2026
About this source
ALS Network’s practical guide.
Where this source is used
Used in 8 places across 1 domain.
Questions
Lifestyle
Feeding Tube
- Can I still eat and drink with a feeding tube?
Used across the whole answer
- Can I still eat and drink with a feeding tube?
Supports this
“For many people a feeding tube does not mean the end of eating and drinking by mouth.”
Devotes a whole section to this fear. It says a tube covers fluid and nutrition needs without the exhaustion of eating, and that this does not stop you eating by mouth when you want to.
- What are the benefits and burdens to weigh, and can I change my mind?
Supports this
“If swallowing is still safe enough, having a tube does not mean giving up eating and drinking by mouth.”
Devotes a whole section to this fear. It says a tube covers fluid and nutrition needs without the exhaustion of eating, and that this does not stop you eating by mouth when you want to.
- When is the decision usually raised, and why can timing matter?
Supports this
“Unintended weight loss is one of the usual prompts for raising a feeding tube.”
Says an unintended loss of about 10 percent of body weight is usually a good sign that a feeding tube may be worth considering, alongside tiredness after eating and difficulty chewing or swallowing. It adds that the right time varies with individual circumstances.
- Why might a feeding tube be suggested, and what can it help with?
Supports this
“If swallowing is still safe, having a feeding tube does not mean giving up eating and drinking by mouth.”
Devotes a whole section to this fear. It says a tube covers fluid and nutrition needs without the exhaustion of eating, and that this does not stop you eating by mouth when you want to.
Resources
Lifestyle
- Feeding Tube
Further reading
Clears up common fears and myths about feeding tubes so you can weigh the decision with accurate information.
Feeding Tube
- When is the decision usually raised, and why can timing matter?
Further reading
Why feeding tubes are often suggested earlier than people expect
- Why might a feeding tube be suggested, and what can it help with?
Further reading
Common worries about feeding tubes, and what the reality is
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