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.
Different conditions increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Normally, as people age, they become less active. The risk is considered highest for people older than 75 years or individuals who have spent a long time in care center of in nursing home. At old age it becomes difficult to swallow or cough well, which increases the risk of this infection.
Other factors may as well enhance the risks of this type of pneumonia. These factors include weak immune systems resulting from diabetes, heart failure, age or other health conditions. In addition, the muscles that aid in the swallowing may become weak because of conditions like Alzheimer conditions, stroke or other diseases. Other risk matters include cigarette smoking, use of ventilators or feeding tubes that permit the passage of bacteria to the lungs, poor oral hygiene as well as alcoholism.
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.
Although some individuals are able to eliminate effectively the aspirated materials through strong coughs, some people may not because of an impaired coughing ability. The impairment of coughing abilities are common among unconscious individuals or even persons who have suffered brain injuries that lead to a reduction in consciousness. Most people, nevertheless, aspirate some amount of saliva each night as they sleep but never develop this infection because they effectively eliminate the aspirate on top of having immune systems, which are healthy.
This infection has a number of clinical manifestations. They include fever, cough that could be dry or with mucus, froth or pinkish spit, trouble in swallowing, and the skin in the mouth and fingertips turning bluish. Other symptoms include as high heartbeat or pain in the chest, a hoarseness or gurgling voice, loss of weight, appetite loss and a general feeling of 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 also possible to prevent or reduce the risk of this condition. This is possible by avoiding such behaviors which can lead to aspiration like excessive drinking. Also proper oral hygiene and dental care can significantly reduce the risk of this infection.
Different conditions increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Normally, as people age, they become less active. The risk is considered highest for people older than 75 years or individuals who have spent a long time in care center of in nursing home. At old age it becomes difficult to swallow or cough well, which increases the risk of this infection.
Other factors may as well enhance the risks of this type of pneumonia. These factors include weak immune systems resulting from diabetes, heart failure, age or other health conditions. In addition, the muscles that aid in the swallowing may become weak because of conditions like Alzheimer conditions, stroke or other diseases. Other risk matters include cigarette smoking, use of ventilators or feeding tubes that permit the passage of bacteria to the lungs, poor oral hygiene as well as alcoholism.
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.
Although some individuals are able to eliminate effectively the aspirated materials through strong coughs, some people may not because of an impaired coughing ability. The impairment of coughing abilities are common among unconscious individuals or even persons who have suffered brain injuries that lead to a reduction in consciousness. Most people, nevertheless, aspirate some amount of saliva each night as they sleep but never develop this infection because they effectively eliminate the aspirate on top of having immune systems, which are healthy.
This infection has a number of clinical manifestations. They include fever, cough that could be dry or with mucus, froth or pinkish spit, trouble in swallowing, and the skin in the mouth and fingertips turning bluish. Other symptoms include as high heartbeat or pain in the chest, a hoarseness or gurgling voice, loss of weight, appetite loss and a general feeling of 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 also possible to prevent or reduce the risk of this condition. This is possible by avoiding such behaviors which can lead to aspiration like excessive drinking. Also proper oral hygiene and dental care can significantly reduce the risk of this infection.
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