Ask the expert
Q MY FRIEND MAY NEED A PEG TUBE. HOW DOES THIS WORK?
A Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are inserted into the stomach through the tummy wall, using a local anaesthetic, so that medicine and high-nutrient liquid feeds can be given to people with long-term swallowing problems.
In the short-term (such as during a serious illness), feeds and fluids can be given through a plastic tube threaded through the nose into the stomach (nasogastric tube), but this can irritate.
So, if someone can’t swallow without choking or
