Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Sometimes, people have problems eating and they cannot chew or swallow their food properly. A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or PEG for short is a special tube that helps these people get their food directly into their stomachs so they can get the nutrition they need.

The PEG tube is put in place by a special doctor called a gastroenterologist. They use a very thin camera called an endoscope to look inside the person's tummy and find the best place to insert the PEG tube.

Before the procedure starts, the person is given some medicine to help them relax and feel comfortable. Once the tube is in place, they can start using it right away to get the nutrition they need.

The tube is closed when it is not being used and can be easily cleaned by a nurse or caregiver. While it may take some time to get used to using the PEG tube, it helps people who cannot eat normally to live a more healthy and comfortable life.