.: Comatose Patients and the Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia
Category:Home / Health / Diseases and Conditions
Aspiration pneumonia refers to inflammation of the lungs due to inhalation of foreign matters (food, saliva, nasal secretions). Virtually any fluids or solid irritants (dust particles) that frequently enter the airways can lead to the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia can generate moderate or high fever due to inflammation of the lower respiratory tract’s soft tissues, membranes and organs involved in the process of breathing. Unattended, this type of pneumonia can result in partial lung failure (atelectasis). Although aspiration pneumonia is not an infectious disease, in time it can lead to serious pulmonary bacterial infections. On the premises of lung inflammation and weakened defenses of the respiratory system (cilia barriers, mucus), aspiration pneumonia facilitates the occurrence of severe bacterial pneumonia. Furthermore, aspiration pneumonia can even lead to death by asphyxiation (due to obstruction of breathing).
The categories of people exposed to the highest risk of developing aspiration pneumonia are: people who can’t swallow properly or have a poor cough reflex (infants, very young children, the elderly) and people with serious disabilities that involve bed confinement. Aspiration pneumonia is very common in comatose patients and people who suffer from paralysis, as immobility and prolonged horizontal position of the body render them very susceptible to inhalation of their own mouth and nasal secretions. Also, prolonged bed confinement can lead to regurgitation of the stomach content inside the throat and mouth, allowing stomach fluids to reach the upper levels of the respiratory tract, from where they may be inhaled into the lungs. Despite the fact that comatose patients are usually fed via tubes that enter directly inside the stomach, they are still exposed to a high risk of aspiration pneumonia as a result of stomach fluids reflux into the throat and mouth.
The occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in disabled or comatose patients can be easily prevented by slightly elevating patients’ head and torso during feedings. Patients should be maintained in this position for at least 30 minutes after feeding. This procedure is recommended for patients who receive tube feedings as well. Patients who suffer from an overproduction of saliva also require special medical care. In order to prevent the inhalation of excess saliva, this category of patients should be kept under permanent medical monitoring. Constant mouth suctioning and frequent wiping of the mouth and nose can prevent the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in such patients. Constant changing of position can also minimize the risk of aspiration pneumonia in disabled and comatose patients.
Patients who present signs of fluid inhalation need immediate medical assistance. Tube suctioning of the airways is an effective means of clearing patients’ respiratory tract from inhaled foreign matters. Chest massage and application of pressure on patients’ chest can stimulate cough reflexes, thus allowing the elimination of inhaled matters.
Although aspiration pneumonia is highly preventable and treatable (if timely discovered), it still accounts for many deaths among patients with special conditions. People with poor freedom of movement and immobile people need permanent surveillance in order to prevent the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia.
Article keywords: pneumonia, pneumonia symptoms, pneumonia vaccine, pneumonia cause, walking pneumonia, walking pneumonia symptoms
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
You can find great content regarding pneumonia causes, pneumonia symptoms and many more by visiting www.pneumonia-center.com/
.: New Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). Migraine Symptoms, Cause And Cures
Almost everyone has had a headache at one point in his or her life. Headaches are of different types, one of them is migraine.
2). Which Prostate Treatments Are Most Effective?
Prostate treatments, traditional or alternative, may complement each other in fighting prostate disorders. It is up to the patient to identify the combination that works best.
3). Obese People, How To Tackle This Number One Problem?
Obese people have become part of an epidemic in the United States. Are you one of the 300,000 Americans who die each year of diseases related to obesity? Did you know that approximately $177 billion is spent on illnesses related to this epidemic?
4). Anxiety And Depression Sufferer Ends It All - Are You Taking Your Anxiety Seriously?
Anxiety and depression are familiar conditions to us, but are also among the most serious illnesses in the world. Thankfully both these conditions can be treated and sufferers can live anxiety free for life.
5). Amazing Anxiety Disorder Phobia Relief Reveals The Truth - Live Free From Anxiety
Anxiety disorder is capable of destroying your life if not treated immediately. Luckily it is possible to live free from anxiety for the remainder of your life.
6). Warning: Watch Out For These Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms
Anxiety panic attack symptoms can help you determine if you have anxiety to be able to make preventive measures. Every time we feel worried about certain things or fear about the possibilities of what might happen if, a lot of ifs- these are what we call anxiety.
7). What Commonly Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Medications Is Right For You?
Anxiety medications are prescribed to anxiety sufferers to relieve anxiety and depression. There are several commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications that help sufferers control their anxiety.
.: Top Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know.
The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease.
2). Sciatica: How Can You Get Rid of Your Pain in the Butt?
Living with pain in the buttock and leg is not an option. These 10 tips to getting rid of leg pain forever are invaluable to anyone who is or knows someone suffering from the debilitating condition known as sciatica.
3). Gall Bladder - A Place For Gallstones
It is a pouch-shaped organ which is an important part of our body and lies next to the liver. It accepts the bile from the liver which is being stored to help digestion.
4). HPV Virus
Human Papilloma Ciruses (HPV) is a virus that infects humans. Some of the effects of the virus are associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD's).
Over one hundred strains of the virus have been identified by Scientists. Most of these strains are harmless. Some of these strains can produce common skin warts which appear on the hands and feet.
5). Bad Circulation Is A Growing Health Problem
Although the internet is the number 1 place for information today most people still get their information from viewing television. Unlike the internet, by watching TV you do not really have choice on what type of info you get. What the TV stations feed you is what you get.
6). Teach Your Kids How To Avoid Catching Cold Sores
Teaching your kids about cold sores will help them practice prevention.
7). tiniitus online support
Tinnitus: A persistant high pitched screaming only you can hear. You can hear it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Sometimes the noise is enough to make you feel you are loosing your sanity. In fact, on a lighter note one could call it "a big fat pain in the ear !"
It may be of little comfort to Tinnitus victims, but experts estimate that approximately 17 % of the world´s population are currantly suffering from Tinnitus.