HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Excessive Salivation Causing Vomiting While On PEG Feeding Tube?

my son has a devistating hypoxic brain injury. He has PEG feeding tube. He now gets excessive saliva that he struggles to clear due to his poor swallow. It seems to build up to a point where he vomits. The vomits mostly consist of saliva, mucus and partly digested feed (Jevity 1.1cal per mil). What could be causing this?
Fri, 2 Dec 2016
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Short answer:Be Careful.

Salivation occurs as a reflex action when you PEG feed.He vomits/ coughs because that occludes his airway.

Make sure
1)you keep his head at higher level than stomach.This will avoid regurgitation (back flow of PEG feed towords mouth).

2) There is not abdominal bloating, diarrhea.

3)while flushing feeding syringe/pump you don't do it forcefully.(Do it slowly and steadily)

4)Ask nursing staff for help for suctioning of oral content to avoid airway block.Suction is MUST.(aspiration pneumonia is complication that happens when patient aspirate food content in lung).

Hope this helped you. Take care.

I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Excessive Salivation Causing Vomiting While On PEG Feeding Tube?

Short answer:Be Careful. Salivation occurs as a reflex action when you PEG feed.He vomits/ coughs because that occludes his airway. Make sure 1)you keep his head at higher level than stomach.This will avoid regurgitation (back flow of PEG feed towords mouth). 2) There is not abdominal bloating, diarrhea. 3)while flushing feeding syringe/pump you don t do it forcefully.(Do it slowly and steadily) 4)Ask nursing staff for help for suctioning of oral content to avoid airway block.Suction is MUST.(aspiration pneumonia is complication that happens when patient aspirate food content in lung). Hope this helped you. Take care.