Aspiration is when something enters the airway or lungs by accident. It may be food, liquid, or some other material. This can cause serious health problems, such as pneumonia. Aspiration can happen when a person has trouble swallowing normally.
What happens if you aspirate?
Aspiration increases your risk for aspiration pneumonia. This is a condition where pneumonia develops after you’ve inhaled bacteria (through food, drink, saliva, or vomit) into your lungs. Too much liquid in your lungs can also result in a pulmonary edema, which puts a strain on your lungs.
What can be done for aspiration?
For people aspiration pneumonia, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection. When aspiration results from a medical condition, such as a stroke, speech therapy may help to improve a person’s swallowing reflex and lower their risk of aspiration.
Is aspiration an emergency?
Pulmonary aspiration is a common medical emergency, especially in patients with endotracheal tubes or other aspiration risk factors.
How long after aspiration do symptoms occur?
Patients often have a latent period after the aspiration event and the onset of symptoms. Symptoms usually occur within the first hour of aspiration, but almost all patients have symptoms within 2 hours of aspiration.
How quickly does aspiration pneumonia develop?
It may come on within the first 24 hours, or it may develop over the course of a few days. Coughing helps to rid your body of the infection by removing fluid from your lungs, so you don’t want to stop coughing completely.
How do I stop aspiration?
Preventing Aspiration
- Avoid distractions when you’re eating and drinking, such as talking on the phone or watching TV.
- Cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Eat and drink slowly.
- Sit up straight when eating or drinking, if you can.
- If you’re eating or drinking in bed, use a wedge pillow to lift yourself up.
Does aspiration always cause pneumonia?
When such particles are not cleared (because of impaired defense mechanisms and/or because the volume of aspirated material is large), aspiration pneumonia can develop. Material aspirated from the mouth and throat is more likely to contain bacteria, which can cause infectious pneumonia.
How can I stop aspiration while sleeping?
Prevention tips Sleep with your head propped up so that saliva can flow down the throat. Sleep on your side instead of your back. Raise the head of your bed by a few inches to keep stomach acid in your stomach. Drink alcohol in moderation.
How do I know if I have aspiration pneumonia?
Share on Pinterest A high fever and difficulty breathing may indicate aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia can cause a range of symptoms, including: difficulty swallowing. shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
What is the treatment for aspiration pneumonia?
Aspiration pneumonia should be treated with antibiotics; treatment of aspiration pneumonitis is primarily supportive. Secondary prevention of aspiration using various measures is a key component of care for affected patients.
How does aspiration cause death?
Aspiration occurs when foreign material is inhaled into the airway. Causes of death include asphyxiation due to a blocked airway and irritation or infection of the respiratory tract due to inhaled material, or aspiration pneumonia, which will be the primary focus of this segment.