Pulmonary aspiration occurs when foreign substances enter the lungs instead of the stomach, causing suffocation and potentially serious infections. It can be caused by impaired breathing and swallowing coordination, respiratory disorders, and nervous system disorders. Prevention measures include avoiding talking or laughing while eating or drinking and performing tongue exercises. Treatment involves antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia.
Pulmonary aspiration occurs when a person inhales a foreign substance into their lungs. There are many things that can be accidentally inhaled, instead of traveling to the stomach as intended. Possibilities include food, drink, and medication. In some cases, however, it is the mucus that causes this problem, and a person may even aspirate saliva. Unfortunately, pulmonary aspiration isn’t harmless; often causes suffocation. It can also lead to a potentially serious infection of the lungs which is called aspiration pneumonia.
When a person ingests food, liquids, medications, or any other substance, it usually begins to make its way through the esophagus and into the stomach. Unfortunately, however, substances that enter the mouth don’t always follow the normal path through the digestive system. Sometimes, a foreign substance enters the windpipe, which leads to the lungs instead.
A person’s windpipe is positioned in front of their esophagus. This position makes it easier for foreign substances to enter the lungs instead of the stomach. Usually, pulmonary aspiration occurs when a person’s coordinated breathing and swallowing are stopped or impaired. Under normal circumstances, a person does not inhale at the same time as swallowing. Sometimes, however, the automatic coordination of these events is undone by something as simple as laughing while eating or drinking.
In addition to laughter at inopportune moments, there are a number of problems that can lead to lung aspiration. They include respiratory disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and defects affecting the throat. A person may also have this problem due to a disorder affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. In some cases, medications and surgical procedures can cause or contribute to pulmonary aspiration. Also, people who have an impaired ability to cough due to some type of medical problem may be especially prone to pulmonary aspiration.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this condition, but there are steps a person can take to prevent it. For example, a person may avoid talking or laughing while eating or drinking. He may also perform tongue exercises and make an effort to swallow only when he keeps his head down or tilts his head to one side. Thickening liquids or putting small amounts of food into your mouth can also sometimes help. In case pulmonary aspiration leads to pneumonia, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
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