Why do I need percutaneous gastrostomy?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to eat normally at the present time. There may be a blockage at the back of your throat or in your gullet (oesophagus), and this is preventing food going down normally. It may be that you have had a stroke, and that this is causing you problems with swallowing, or your gullet may not be working properly for other reasons. If you have had a small plastic tube inserted through your nose, down into your stomach, it may not be large enough to get adequate amounts of food into your stomach. Obviously, if you do not receive enough nutrition, then you will become very ill. Who has made the decision? The doctors in charge of your case and the radiologist doing the percutaneous gastrostomy will have discussed the situation and feel that this is the best option. However, you will also have the opportunity for your opinion to be taken into account and if, after discussion with your doctors you do not want the procedure carried out, then you can de
