Friday, November 9, 2018

Pointers In Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention

By Ann Wagner


When the lungs get filed with bacteria through pulmonary aspiration, aspiration pneumonia tends to occur. Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention is one of the best ways to keep people from having this condition through simple steps that can be done at home and others with the help of a specialist.

Aspiration pneumonia is in itself a very dangerous condition which requires immediate medical attention. This condition can display symptoms such as throat clearing or having wet coughs immediately after eating, chest pain, poor oral hygiene, fatigue, difficulty in swallowing among others. It is common amongst babies and the elderly especially those above 60 years who suffer from dementia, stroke or swallowing dysfunctions.

Bacteria in food, saliva and liquids can find its way to the lungs through two ways, if you chew on food and it goes the wrong way and not through the oesophagus or if the food comes back up from the stomach. Some medical conditions may cause food to reach the lungs such as throat cancer, esophagitis, GERD and Dysphagia. Coughing a lot when eating can also lead to the same.

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.

Getting to work with a swallow therapist will help you to learn proper swallowing techniques. You will be involved in carrying out some exercises which will help you relax your oesophagus muscles and allow you to swallow food without a problem. This is advisable for people who have difficulties in swallowing like dysphagia.

One of the simplest preventative method is keeping a proper oral hygiene. This begins by brushing your teeth after every meal, using mouth washes to keep your saliva free from bacteria and also taking a lot of water. Doing this on a daily basis will prevent bacteria reaching the lungs through the saliva. Making regular visits to the dentist to have your teeth checked ensures that you are on track with your oral hygiene.

Having a change in your lifestyle, what you eat and drink also helps out. For instance, quitting negative habits such as excessive drinking of alcohol will serve as a prevention method. When you have too much alcohol in your system, you are susceptible to a lot of vomiting. Since vomiting brings a mixture of food and liquid back up, they may reach the lungs easily. Therefore, spend less on alcohol and instead take more water.

In addition to prevention of this condition, treatment is also mandatory. Make sure you get to the most immediate health center and speak to a licensed doctor. The doctor should take you through some tests and inquire on your overall health and if you were recently hospitalized. Make sure that you are careful when taking medications, swallowing them correctly and practice a lot of care if they make you drowsy.




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