It is possible for anyone to fill their lungs with fluid an event also known as aspiration. This mostly happens for people who suffer particular acute or chronic diseases. Fluids inhaled may be in form of food or liquids like saliva or contents of the stomach like vomit. Aspiration can be dangerous causing fatalities in some cases and therefore it is very crucial that aspiration precautions are taken.
When the risk of aspiration occurring is suspected, a swallowing evaluation is supposed to be made. The function of a swallowing evaluation is to assess the probability of risk, swallowing difficulties and also determine foods which are safe for consumption in such scenarios. Necessary precautions are then recommended in case the risk is assessed to be high.
Tube feeding represents one of the biggest causes of entrance of fluid into the airway. They are used in feeding people with spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular weaknesses, post operation complication or altered consciousness. The risk with tube feeding is that stomach fluids are likely to get into the lungs. As a result, caregivers who feed patients through tubes need to ensure that they are in an upright position. In addition, the feeding tube should be turned off if not in use.
Just like in tube feeding, in mouth feeding the patient should be upright. This position can be assumed either on a seat or in a bed and should remain up to half an hour after feeding. For both tube feeders and non tube feeders, food should neither be forced nor hurriedly eaten. A head-bed angle of between 30 to 45 degrees should be maintained all the times unless otherwise stated due to a medical condition.
Aspiration may also result if a patient is not fully conscious or if the level of consciousness is minimal. This is as a result of illness or medication which causes drowsy side effects. As a result, frequent monitoring of the level of consciousness is done for critical patients. Lastly, administering of any foods or liquid should be only to patients who are fully alert.
Anesthesia used during surgery could also result to the passage of fluid into the airway. It is a general precaution not to overuse sedatives and only employ them when necessary. Cough and gag reflexes may also be impaired by sedatives. Moreover, operations ought to be carried when the patient has not consumed any material. A full stomach increases the risk of inhaling fluids and is therefore why fasting for a few hours before operation is advised.
Depression of cough or reduction in normal gag reflexes is another risk factor for aspiration. This is because coughing is involved in removal of particles from the throat. Consequently, depressed coughs or inability to cough should be treated as soon as possible. Abnormal cough and throat reflexes can be observed during a swallowing evaluation.
With fluids in the lung the risk for getting pneumonia is four times higher. Like wise, lung infection bearing pus in the lungs is also possible. When solid matter is inhaled into the airway, the situation is potentially fatal. To avert all these problems, it is prudent to have the necessary precautions in place and abide by them.
When the risk of aspiration occurring is suspected, a swallowing evaluation is supposed to be made. The function of a swallowing evaluation is to assess the probability of risk, swallowing difficulties and also determine foods which are safe for consumption in such scenarios. Necessary precautions are then recommended in case the risk is assessed to be high.
Tube feeding represents one of the biggest causes of entrance of fluid into the airway. They are used in feeding people with spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular weaknesses, post operation complication or altered consciousness. The risk with tube feeding is that stomach fluids are likely to get into the lungs. As a result, caregivers who feed patients through tubes need to ensure that they are in an upright position. In addition, the feeding tube should be turned off if not in use.
Just like in tube feeding, in mouth feeding the patient should be upright. This position can be assumed either on a seat or in a bed and should remain up to half an hour after feeding. For both tube feeders and non tube feeders, food should neither be forced nor hurriedly eaten. A head-bed angle of between 30 to 45 degrees should be maintained all the times unless otherwise stated due to a medical condition.
Aspiration may also result if a patient is not fully conscious or if the level of consciousness is minimal. This is as a result of illness or medication which causes drowsy side effects. As a result, frequent monitoring of the level of consciousness is done for critical patients. Lastly, administering of any foods or liquid should be only to patients who are fully alert.
Anesthesia used during surgery could also result to the passage of fluid into the airway. It is a general precaution not to overuse sedatives and only employ them when necessary. Cough and gag reflexes may also be impaired by sedatives. Moreover, operations ought to be carried when the patient has not consumed any material. A full stomach increases the risk of inhaling fluids and is therefore why fasting for a few hours before operation is advised.
Depression of cough or reduction in normal gag reflexes is another risk factor for aspiration. This is because coughing is involved in removal of particles from the throat. Consequently, depressed coughs or inability to cough should be treated as soon as possible. Abnormal cough and throat reflexes can be observed during a swallowing evaluation.
With fluids in the lung the risk for getting pneumonia is four times higher. Like wise, lung infection bearing pus in the lungs is also possible. When solid matter is inhaled into the airway, the situation is potentially fatal. To avert all these problems, it is prudent to have the necessary precautions in place and abide by them.
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