Learn More On Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention
Aspiration pneumonia is a kind of infection of the lungs and develops once you inhale liquid, food or vomit into the lungs. At the same time, you may aspirate liquid or food from the stomach and backs up in the esophagus. As a result, bacteria grow into the lungs if the aspirated material is not coughed up causing the infection. However aspiration pneumonia prevention is possible.
Various conditions raise the possibility of aspiration pneumonia. Usually, as individuals become old, they tend to get less active. The risks peak in people of 75 years and above in age or people who have had a lot of their lifetime spent in nursing home care centers. At an elderly age, it is usually difficult to cough or swallow well, which then raises the risks of infection.
There are other factors that increase the risk of this pneumonia. These factors are such as a weak immune system due to diabetes, age, heart failure, and other health issues. At the same time, if the muscles that help you swallow become weak due to various conditions such as Alzheimer disease, stroke and other disease. Other risk factors are such as smoking cigarettes, use of a ventilator or feeding tube which allows bacteria to go to the lungs, alcoholism and poor oral hygiene.
Generally, aspiration pneumonia causes inflammation of the lungs as well as bronchial tubes. Although this infection is not very common, it is possible to contract it. The infection is commonly caused by anaerobic bacteria. Also, viruses and fungi may also lead to pneumonia although not with aspiration. Although the immune system fights the invaders to prevent them from causing the infection, sometimes the germs may overpower your immune system. Generally, only air should enter the lungs under normal circumstances, but the infection may occur if anything is hindering the normal gag reflex.
While other people can effectively force out aspirated material by a strong cough, some cannot since their ability to cough is impaired. This is common in unconscious people or in individuals who have had injuries in the brain and therefore resulting in continuous decreased consciousness. Other people also aspirate saliva while asleep in the night but they do not get the infection because they are in a position to clear inspired saliva and they also have a strong immune system.
This infection comes with a number of signs or symptoms. The symptoms include coughs that have or have no mucus produced, fever, frothy or pink spit, swallowing difficulties as well as bluish skin on areas around fingertips or near the mouth. Other symptoms include chest pains or rapid heartbeat, alterations in your voice like gurgling or hoarseness, loss of weight, loss of appetite as well as fatigue.
The treatment of this infection usually depends on its severity. Your doctor might at first give some antibiotics as the first line of treatment. If the infection is severe and have trouble swallow you might need to stop taking food or liquid by mouth.
It is as well possible to avoid or lessen the risks of the condition. This is achievable by avoiding behaviors that can potentially cause aspiration for example excessive drinking. Proper oral hygiene together with dental care also significantly lessens the risks of this infection.
Various conditions raise the possibility of aspiration pneumonia. Usually, as individuals become old, they tend to get less active. The risks peak in people of 75 years and above in age or people who have had a lot of their lifetime spent in nursing home care centers. At an elderly age, it is usually difficult to cough or swallow well, which then raises the risks of infection.
There are other factors that increase the risk of this pneumonia. These factors are such as a weak immune system due to diabetes, age, heart failure, and other health issues. At the same time, if the muscles that help you swallow become weak due to various conditions such as Alzheimer disease, stroke and other disease. Other risk factors are such as smoking cigarettes, use of a ventilator or feeding tube which allows bacteria to go to the lungs, alcoholism and poor oral hygiene.
Generally, aspiration pneumonia causes inflammation of the lungs as well as bronchial tubes. Although this infection is not very common, it is possible to contract it. The infection is commonly caused by anaerobic bacteria. Also, viruses and fungi may also lead to pneumonia although not with aspiration. Although the immune system fights the invaders to prevent them from causing the infection, sometimes the germs may overpower your immune system. Generally, only air should enter the lungs under normal circumstances, but the infection may occur if anything is hindering the normal gag reflex.
While other people can effectively force out aspirated material by a strong cough, some cannot since their ability to cough is impaired. This is common in unconscious people or in individuals who have had injuries in the brain and therefore resulting in continuous decreased consciousness. Other people also aspirate saliva while asleep in the night but they do not get the infection because they are in a position to clear inspired saliva and they also have a strong immune system.
This infection comes with a number of signs or symptoms. The symptoms include coughs that have or have no mucus produced, fever, frothy or pink spit, swallowing difficulties as well as bluish skin on areas around fingertips or near the mouth. Other symptoms include chest pains or rapid heartbeat, alterations in your voice like gurgling or hoarseness, loss of weight, loss of appetite as well as fatigue.
The treatment of this infection usually depends on its severity. Your doctor might at first give some antibiotics as the first line of treatment. If the infection is severe and have trouble swallow you might need to stop taking food or liquid by mouth.
It is as well possible to avoid or lessen the risks of the condition. This is achievable by avoiding behaviors that can potentially cause aspiration for example excessive drinking. Proper oral hygiene together with dental care also significantly lessens the risks of this infection.
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