Everyone is at a risk of inhaling fluids into their lungs a process called aspiration. This is especially so for patients with certain chronic or acute diseases. These fluids may be food particles, liquids such as drinks or even saliva or may be gastric contents such as vomit. Aspiration is highly risky, sometimes leading to death and therefore aspiration precautions need to be 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 is one of the biggest risks for fluids entering into the lungs. Tubes are used to feed patients who have conditions such as spinal cord injury, altered consciousness, muscle weakness or post surgery complications. Tubes increase the risk of gastric fluids entering into the airways. Therefore, while tube feeding; caregivers need to ensure that patients are upright and that the tube is off when not in use. The residual from the tube should also be checked regularly.
Similar to tube feeding, feeding through the mouth also requires the patient to be upright. They can be made upright on a chair or a bed and that position maintained for a while. In addition, for both modes of feeding, food should not forced or given hurriedly. In addition, an angle of elevation measuring around 30 to 45 degrees is advised.
Reduced level of consciousness or no consciousness at all is another major cause for aspiration. Medicine that causes drowsiness or confusion is also to blame. Hence, caregivers need to consistently monitor the level of consciousness of their patients. Food or liquid should never be administered to patients who are not 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.
Inability to cough or have a normal gag reflex may cause aspiration as cough reflexes remove particles likely to enter into the airways. As a result, coughing problems should be addressed without delay. The ability to have a normal cough reflex and clearing of throat should be made 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 is one of the biggest risks for fluids entering into the lungs. Tubes are used to feed patients who have conditions such as spinal cord injury, altered consciousness, muscle weakness or post surgery complications. Tubes increase the risk of gastric fluids entering into the airways. Therefore, while tube feeding; caregivers need to ensure that patients are upright and that the tube is off when not in use. The residual from the tube should also be checked regularly.
Similar to tube feeding, feeding through the mouth also requires the patient to be upright. They can be made upright on a chair or a bed and that position maintained for a while. In addition, for both modes of feeding, food should not forced or given hurriedly. In addition, an angle of elevation measuring around 30 to 45 degrees is advised.
Reduced level of consciousness or no consciousness at all is another major cause for aspiration. Medicine that causes drowsiness or confusion is also to blame. Hence, caregivers need to consistently monitor the level of consciousness of their patients. Food or liquid should never be administered to patients who are not 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.
Inability to cough or have a normal gag reflex may cause aspiration as cough reflexes remove particles likely to enter into the airways. As a result, coughing problems should be addressed without delay. The ability to have a normal cough reflex and clearing of throat should be made 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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