Sometimes, a person can’t get all the nutrition they need by eating. When that happens, they might need enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is a way to deliver nutrients directly to the digestive system via a feeding tube.
There are several different types of feeding tubes. Two common options are gastric tubes (G-tubes) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes.
A gastric tube is any feeding tube that goes directly into the stomach. A PEG tube is a specific type of G-tube that’s placed using a special procedure called an endoscopy.
This article will explain the differences between a gastric tube vs. a PEG tube. We’ll look at when each one is used, how they’re placed, and the pros and cons of each.
It’s important to understand the differences between these two types of tubes so you can make informed decisions about your care. While we’re focusing on G-tubes and PEG tubes, it’s worth noting that other types of feeding tubes exist, like nasogastric (NG) tubes, nasojejunal (NJ) tubes, and jejunostomy tubes. These tubes are inserted through the nose or a surgical opening into the small intestine.
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