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Over half a million Americans rely on a feeding tube for proper nutrition, myself included. Although these are lifesaving tools, they are not infallible. Often, they become clogged even with proper maintenance. This guide will provide home solutions on how to fix a clogged tube, hopefully saving one's self an arduous trip to the hospital.
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Test your tube. Use a 35ml plunger to test your tube, just to confirm it is clogged.
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Massage the tube. Roll the tubing in between your fingers and “massage” it.
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Switch to a smaller plunger. Start using a 10ml plunger.
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Flush hot water. Fill your 10ml plunger (and extension tubing, if applicable) with hot water. As hot as you can safely tolerate. Use this to flush your tube.
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Pulsate. Pulsate the 10ml plunger back and forth, in quick motion. This helps to dismantle the clog.
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Flush a combination of hot water and meat tenderizer. If your tube is still clogged, fill your 10ml plunger (and extension tubing, if applicable) with a combination of hot water and meat tenderizer.
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Pulsate. Pulsate the 10ml plunger once again, in a quick motion.
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Flush Coca-Cola. If your tube is still clogged, fill your 10ml plunger (and extension tubing, if applicable) with Coca-Cola. Flush your tube.
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Pulsate, then let Coca-Cola sit. Pulsate the 10ml plunger once again, in a quick motion. If the clog persists, allow the Coke to sit in your tube.
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Test your feeding tube. It should flush easily.
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The hope is to successfully unclog the feeding tube at home. Of course, always contact your health care physician in times of concern.
The hope is to successfully unclog the feeding tube at home. Of course, always contact your health care physician in times of concern.
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That is a very good, clear procedure to follow. Those steps are essentially what they might trying the ER. If these steps don't work, the tube probably needs to be replaced.
This is so clear and helpful. There’s so little available for us tube feeders and this is a great. The Coke tip is fab. You can also use lemonade or any carbonated drink. The main thing to do is not panic, take your time and once the tube is clear , flush well with water.
