Ideally, aspirated pneumonia is a condition that results from the inhalation of oropharynx secretions or stomach contents that then causes infections to the lower respiratory tract. In a number of healthy adults, low levels of aspiration frequently occurs and the usual defense mechanisms is lung cilia and coughs that removes these materials without any side effects. Nevertheless, in severe conditions, aspiration pneumonia prevention is then deemed essential.
Aspiration may have various effects. To begin with, chemical pneumonitis that entails chemical irritations to the lungs and this can advance to bacterial infections or severe respiratory distress syndrome. Also, acute gastric content aspiration into the lungs may generate severe and fatal illnesses. Secondly, obstructions may occur. This is when volumes of the aspirated material block the respiratory tract.
Bacterial infection is the other likely cause. Airways infections normally cause lung abscess, respiratory failure, empyema or acute lung injuries. Again, persistent aspiration pneumonia may result from anaerobes and could advance into lung abscess or bronchiectasis. Contrarily, various risk factors are attributed to the condition. Poor oral hygiene is one such.
Many people particularly adults aspirate saliva during sleep. Nonetheless, respiratory ciliary movement, normal immunity, proper oral hygiene and good cough reflex will remedy any severe effects suffered when saliva is aspirated in such situations. Another factor may be dysphagia and swallowing dysfunctions. Others include particular medications which prevent the flow of saliva. These are such as anticholinergics, levodopa, diuretics, anxiolytics and antipsychotics that cut down saliva flow and increase the concentration of bacteria in the oral cavity.
Certain classes of drugs also cause impaired swallowing. All these have the effect of bringing about aspirated pneumonia. In addition, patients especially the aged who are fed through tubes are also predisposed to this condition. Feeding through tubes also results in neglected oral hygiene hence raising risks of developing the condition. Nevertheless, there are a number of ways of preventing the condition. One key measure is proper oral hygiene.
According to studies, you can minimize the aspiration pneumonia by tooth brushing, cleaning of dentures and several essential interventions. These are the ways you can adapt to make sure that you have proper hygiene. You can also adjust your medication to prevent this condition. When you keep away drugs and cut down the use of drugs which leads to decrease in saliva flow, you lower the development of this situation.
Where possible, sedation medications should be avoided. In addition, a person can withhold medications which could raise your gastric pH so as to prevent the condition. On the other hand, patients who may not be at a position of eating by themselves can be assisted to hand feed. This is one viable and suitable alternative to the reliance on tubes in feeding particularly with agitated patients.
Another vital measure is the identification of persons who are at high risks of developing aspirations pneumonia. These include the elderly, people suffering swallowing disorders and impaired mental status or those with a history of stroke or seizures as well as people who frequently vomit. Such individuals, when taken to hospital are usually handled with caution to prevent the pneumonic condition.
Aspiration may have various effects. To begin with, chemical pneumonitis that entails chemical irritations to the lungs and this can advance to bacterial infections or severe respiratory distress syndrome. Also, acute gastric content aspiration into the lungs may generate severe and fatal illnesses. Secondly, obstructions may occur. This is when volumes of the aspirated material block the respiratory tract.
Bacterial infection is the other likely cause. Airways infections normally cause lung abscess, respiratory failure, empyema or acute lung injuries. Again, persistent aspiration pneumonia may result from anaerobes and could advance into lung abscess or bronchiectasis. Contrarily, various risk factors are attributed to the condition. Poor oral hygiene is one such.
Many people particularly adults aspirate saliva during sleep. Nonetheless, respiratory ciliary movement, normal immunity, proper oral hygiene and good cough reflex will remedy any severe effects suffered when saliva is aspirated in such situations. Another factor may be dysphagia and swallowing dysfunctions. Others include particular medications which prevent the flow of saliva. These are such as anticholinergics, levodopa, diuretics, anxiolytics and antipsychotics that cut down saliva flow and increase the concentration of bacteria in the oral cavity.
Certain classes of drugs also cause impaired swallowing. All these have the effect of bringing about aspirated pneumonia. In addition, patients especially the aged who are fed through tubes are also predisposed to this condition. Feeding through tubes also results in neglected oral hygiene hence raising risks of developing the condition. Nevertheless, there are a number of ways of preventing the condition. One key measure is proper oral hygiene.
According to studies, you can minimize the aspiration pneumonia by tooth brushing, cleaning of dentures and several essential interventions. These are the ways you can adapt to make sure that you have proper hygiene. You can also adjust your medication to prevent this condition. When you keep away drugs and cut down the use of drugs which leads to decrease in saliva flow, you lower the development of this situation.
Where possible, sedation medications should be avoided. In addition, a person can withhold medications which could raise your gastric pH so as to prevent the condition. On the other hand, patients who may not be at a position of eating by themselves can be assisted to hand feed. This is one viable and suitable alternative to the reliance on tubes in feeding particularly with agitated patients.
Another vital measure is the identification of persons who are at high risks of developing aspirations pneumonia. These include the elderly, people suffering swallowing disorders and impaired mental status or those with a history of stroke or seizures as well as people who frequently vomit. Such individuals, when taken to hospital are usually handled with caution to prevent the pneumonic condition.
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