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There are more than 350 medical conditions related to feeding tube dependency (FTD). In many cases, the cause is due to a throat or swallowing condition, such as dysphagia or cancer.

feeding tube
FTD from Swallowing Disorders

Swallowing occurs in three stages, or phases, and issues can arise in one or more of these. They are:

Oral phase (mouth) – involves sucking, chewing, and moving food or liquid to the throat.

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Pharyngeal phase (throat) – initiates swallowing and pushes food down the throat while closing the airway to prevent food or liquid from entering, which can lead to coughing and choking.

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Esophageal phase – involves the opening and closing of the esophagus (the tube connecting the back of the throat to the stomach), which propels food towards the stomach. Obstructions in the esophagus can occur, and frequent vomiting may be a sign of esophageal issues or acid reflux, also known as indigestion or heartburn.

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Feeding tube dependency often results from swallowing disorders, including conditions like dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Swallowing disorders are more prevalent among the elderly; however, with 15 million Americans affected, individuals across all age groups can be at significant risk.

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Other types of swallowing disorders include:

  • Esophageal achalasia (esophageal nerve damage)

  • Esophageal stricture

  • Scleroderma (tissue hardening disorder)

  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (immune system disorder)

  • Esophageal spasms

  • Esophageal tumors (cancerous growths)

  • Esophageal ring (thin area of narrowing)

  • Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum (pouch/pocket that develop inside esophagus)

FTD from Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders are conditions that affect the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. There are hundreds of different neurological disorders, each with its own set of symptoms, causes, and treatments. Some common examples include:

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  • Stroke

  • Traumatic brain injury

  • Cerebral palsy

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Progressive supranuclear palsy

  • Huntington's disease

  • Myasthenia gravis

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease)

  • Multiple system atrophy (MSA)

  • Progressive motor neuron diseases

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These disorders can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but there are various treatments available that can help manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

FTD from Gastrointestinal (GI) Diseases

Gastrointestinal diseases, abbreviated as GI diseases or GI illnesses, refer to conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, and the digestive accessory organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

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Common GI diseases include:

  • Crohn's Disease

  • Gastroparesis

  • Intestinal dysmotility

  • Pancreatitis

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