Pointers In Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention

By Ann Wagner


When the lungs get filled with food, saliva or liquids through pulmonary aspiration, a condition known as aspiration pneumonia takes place. Infection in the lungs makes it uncomfortable for one to breath properly as these organs will tend to dysfunction. Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention steps allows you to take out habits or things that could lead you to suffering from this condition.

When pneumonia occurs, it usually displays some symptoms that you may face. One of them includes poor oral health whereby you may have bad breath. A lot of coughing with sputum and throat clearing when you eat, chest pains, fatigue, difficulty in swallowing food and wheezing are part of the symptoms. The elderly, who are above 60 years are susceptible to this condition especially those with neurological disorders.

The bacteria in the food you eat can find its way to the lungs when it goes down the wrong way or comes back up from the stomach through the oesophagus. In some circumstances, this may happen even when you are eating and suddenly have a gag reflex which can be prevented when you cough. However, those having medical condition such as throat cancer, Parkinsons disease or neurological disorders may not manage to control it.

Some of the preventative methods that can keep you from having this illness can be provided by a specialist. One of the methods mostly used for people having conditions such as dysphagia which results to pneumonia is changing of diet. Having a meal plan that does not make it hard for you to swallow allows you to improve on your eating habits and prevents coughing reflexes as you swallow.

The other step for prevention is through swallowing therapy. Swallowing food properly is important in preventing food from reaching the lungs. A swallow therapist can guide you through exercises that will help you relax the gut muscles and allow you to get food to the stomach properly. This will be helpful to people having difficulties in swallowing their foods due to medical conditions.

The other step is dental hygiene. Keeping your oral health in check is one of the simplest preventative method that you can practice without the help of a doctor. It involves having a routine brushing session from your teeth after meals, taking enough water and also brushing your tongue properly. Taking regular check-up with the dentist to keep track of your oral hygiene is also a good step.

Improving on lifestyle behavior such as reducing on alcohol intake prevents aspiration. Excessive alcohol intake is one of the key reasons that lead to aspiration such that food particles find their way to the lungs when they move back up from the stomach as you vomit. Keeping sober or simply having some little amount of alcohol will keep you from excessive vomiting.

Medication and treatment is also an important step to follow. It would be dangerous ignoring this to an acute stage as it may lead to death. Therefore, it is wise to pay a visit to a licensed doctor in a well renowned hospital who can carry out a proper check-up and provide antibiotics that will clear out the bacteria. Also, be careful when taking the drugs making sure you swallow properly.




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