Nutrition – Adolescents and Adults

A healthy weight is very important to keeping the lungs healthy and strong.  

What should I eat? 

Try to eat a balanced diet with a wide variety of healthy foods. Set regular meal and snack times and closely watch what and how much you eat.  

People with lung disease can have trouble growing and gaining weight. This is because they may use more energy (calories) to breathe. They usually need to eat more calories than people without lung disease. Your medical team may include a dietitian who can help make sure you are eating what you need to grow. 

What if I have trouble eating? 

People with lung disease can have problems with acid reflux disease (GERD) and gastrointestinal dysmotility (trouble moving the food through the gastrointestinal system). This might cause poor appetite, belly aches and/or vomiting.  Your care team may have you see a gastroenterologist (stomach doctor) to help with these symptoms.  

Poor appetite can also be due to chronic fatigue and mood problems like depression. Talk to your doctor about your appetite and relationship with food.  

Will I need a feeding tube? 

Some people need to use a feeding tube to make sure they grow safely. You might need a feeding tube if… 

• You can’t eat enough food to gain weight 
• You can’t drink enough liquid to stay hydrated 
• You have trouble swallowing (dysphagia or aspiration) 

The decision to have a feeding tube can be hard to make. There are different types of feeding tubes. The names of the tubes are based on how they enter the body and where the feeds go. Your medical team can help you decide the best tube type for you. 

• Nasogastric tube (NG tube) – this tube is placed through the nose and feeds into the stomach. This is a temporary tube and will need to be changed at times. 
• Nasojejunal tube (NJ tube) – this tube is placed through the nose, but it is guided past the stomach and feeds into one of the upper parts of the small intestine (jejunum). This is a temporary tube and will need to be changed at times.  
• Gastrostomy tube (G tube) – this tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into the stomach.  
• Gastrostomy-Jejunostomy (GJ tube) – this tube is placed through the stomach but it is guided past the stomach and feeds into one of the upper parts of the small intestine (jejunum). With this tube, there are two ports (openings) – one that goes to the stomach and one that goes to the jejunum.  
• Jejunostomy (J-tube) – this tube is placed through the abdominal wall straight into the small intestine. 

How do I use a feeding tube? 

There are many ways to use feeding tubes. Some people get feeds through the tube all at the same time (like a meal or snack). Other people get feeds through the tube slowly over a longer period (like while sleeping at night).  

The feed (or formula) is poured into a feeding bag, travels through the infusion tubing, and enters the body. You can adjust how quickly or slowly you get the feed. You are able to continue normal activity while feeds are running. People with tubes can take baths, showers, and swim. Make sure to dry the skin around the tube. If you use a dressing and it gets wet, replace it with a new, dry one. 

Your care team will teach you: 

• When and how to change dressings and the tube  
• How to make and store formula 
• How to run the feeds and clean the feeding tube 
• What to do if the feeding tube moves, falls out, or other problems arise 
• How to order supplies and formula (doctor’s office, DME vendor, pharmacy, or WIC) 

Keep in mind that as your weight changes, you may need a larger size tube and a new feeding schedule.  

People tend to adjust quickly to feeding tubes. They can give you an easier way to get the calories you need to stay healthy.