How much harm does nasogastric intubation cause to the stomach?

Inserting a nasogastric tube may cause mechanical damage to the stomach, decreased appetite, and reduced digestive function. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Mechanical Damage

Nasogastric intubation is primarily used for patients who cannot eat normally. Before the procedure, the patient's nasal cavity must be cleared, and the tube is lubricated before being inserted through the nostril into the stomach. During insertion, if the patient has poor tolerance, excessive friction between the tube and the mucosa of the nasal cavity may occur, potentially leading to local mucosal congestion and thus causing mechanical injury.

2. Decreased Appetite

After nasogastric tube placement, patients can only receive liquid food delivered through the tube to maintain nutritional balance and prevent malnutrition. The presence of a foreign body sensation in areas such as the nasal cavity may affect appetite, resulting in reduced appetite.

3. Reduced Digestive Function

Liquid food is easily digested. If a patient remains on a nasogastric tube for an extended period, their natural chewing function may decline, which could lead to deterioration of gastric digestive function and result in impaired digestion.

In addition, gastrointestinal bleeding and increased risk of infection may also occur. It is recommended that, if nasogastric intubation is required, patients should seek treatment at a正规 hospital and have the procedure performed by qualified medical professionals to avoid injury to the stomach.