Aspiration Pneumonia – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Aspirationspneumonie
Aspiration pneumonia is a special form of pneumonia . In most cases, it occurs when foreign material is inhaled and the defense system of the respiratory tract is inadequate. Aspiration pneumonia usually occurs in the basal sections of the lungs.
What is aspiration pneumonia?
Aspiration pneumonias are characterized by the fact that they arise from the aspiration of foreign objects and fluids. A special form of aspiration pneumonia is Mendelson’s syndrome, in which pneumonia occurs after gastric juice has penetrated the airways. This can happen, for example, in the process of vomiting food.
If foreign bodies get into the lungs via the airways when eating or vomiting, pathogens are transported into the respiratory organ. These sometimes trigger inflammation in the lungs , which can lead to aspiration pneumonia. For this reason, aspiration pneumonias are so-called ‘inhaled’ pneumonia.
causes
Aspiration pneumonia occurs as a result of inhaling foreign objects into the lungs. Normally, the airways are protected by certain reflex mechanisms so that neither food particles nor gastric juice can get into the airways and from there to the lungs when eating or vomiting.
If such a case does occur, a cough reflex occurs as a result of swallowing, which removes the foreign material from the airways before it can be transported to the lungs. However, there are situations in which the reflex system does not function properly. The protective reflexes sometimes fail, especially in older people or those suffering from certain diseases.
The cough reflex can also be impaired in the context of unconsciousness , for example in the case of alcohol or drug poisoning. If the affected person swallows or vomits without activating the cough reflex, food particles or gastric juice can enter the lungs.
This transports pathogens into the lungs that can cause inflammatory processes. A special case of aspiration pneumonia occurs when gastric juice is swallowed, in which the acid irritates the sensitive lung tissue with chemical burns.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Aspiration pneumonias are associated with a variety of characteristic symptoms and signs. Aspiration usually results in severe coughing and increased mucus production in the bronchial mucosa. Such signs are often at the beginning of the disease.
Pneumonia often develops later, accompanied by rapid breathing (medical term tachypnea). Fever and a general feeling of illness set in. Depending on the severity of the aspiration pneumonia, shortness of breath can be an additional symptom. In most cases, the typical symptoms of aspiration pneumonia set in after a delay of a few hours to a few days.
The affected patients show bronchial reactions with a so-called bronchospasm and increased secretion. Shortness of breath is often accompanied by a cough with phlegm. In addition, the body temperature is measurably increased . Any shortness of breath that may occur (medical term dyspnoea) can subsequently lead to a bluish or violet discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (medical term cyanosis ).
Diagnosis & History
Various methods of examination are available for the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. In the first step, the doctor treating you discusses the recent event of swallowing or vomiting with the patient. As a first examination, the doctor usually listens to the lungs with a stethoscope. Audible changes can confirm the suspicion.
Diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia can be confirmed by X-ray examinations of the lungs. X-rays show changes typical of the disease. At the same time, the extent of the inflammation can be determined. In addition, blood tests can provide information about the oxygen content of the blood, which makes it possible to determine the oxygen uptake via the lungs.
Other diagnostic methods are pulmonary endoscopies or bronchoscopies , which allow a direct view of the lungs. The aspirated material can be found during a pulmonary endoscopy or a lavage of the bronchi. Computed tomography can also be used to diagnose aspiration pneumonia.
complications
Aspiration pneumonia is a dreaded complication of inhaling a foreign body. In small children in particular, the object can constrict the trachea so much that the child can no longer breathe and suffocates. Even in adults, inhalation leads to severe shortness of breath and a urge to cough.
The most feared complication of aspiration pneumonia is failure of the lungs (respiratory failure). The patient can no longer absorb enough oxygen or release carbon dioxide, he suffers from a severe lack of oxygen, which can be life-threatening. It is also life-threatening if the inflammation spreads throughout the body and causes sepsis .
This can result in septic shock, which can then lead to multi-organ failure. In addition, a lot of fluid accumulates in the pleura due to the inflammation ( pleural effusion ), which also severely impairs breathing. Pus can also accumulate in the pleural cavity (pleural empyema), so that the pulmonary and pleural membranes stick together.
If the inflammation persists for a long time, scarring of the lung tissue ( pulmonary fibrosis ) can occur, which impairs the expansion of the lungs and thus also breathing. A widening of the bronchi is also conceivable (bronchiectasis), which promotes further inflammation and leads to frequent bleeding in the lungs.
When should you go to the doctor?
Since aspiration pneumonia has a very negative effect on the lungs and breathing of those affected, a doctor must be consulted in any case. If there is no treatment, the aspiration pneumonia can, in the worst case, lead to the death of the person concerned.
The doctor should be consulted if the affected person coughs heavily without a specific reason or produces an increased amount of phlegm. It can also lead to fever and general tiredness and exhaustion in the patient. Shortness of breath is also a symptom of aspiration pneumonia and needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
In an acute emergency, the person concerned can also contact a hospital or an emergency doctor . There is also a cough with sputum and, in some cases, a blue discoloration of the skin. If the skin is already turning blue, an emergency doctor must be called, as this can also damage the internal organs if they are not supplied with enough oxygen.
The first visit is usually to a general practitioner. In emergencies, however, the hospital must always be visited directly or an ambulance must be called to avoid further complications.
Treatment & Therapy
Various measures are available for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia, which are used depending on the individual clinical picture and the severity and localization of the disease. First, an attempt should be made to remove the foreign material from the lungs by suction. Drugs that open the airways can make it easier to cough up the foreign body.
The bacteria causing pneumonia are usually treated with antibiotics . The main aerobic germs here are primarily staphylococci , streptococci , Pseudomonas and hemophilus. In order to alleviate the symptoms of shortness of breath, the breathing air can be enriched with oxygen via a nasal tube.
In particularly severe cases of shortness of breath, artificial respiration of the patient is necessary. In any case, the cause of the aspiration must be included in the selection of the therapy concept.
Outlook & Forecast
The prognosis of aspiration pneumonia depends on various factors. They include the severity and intensity of the pneumonia, the type of bacteria that caused the disease and the size of the affected area. In addition, the patient’s age and general state of health must be taken into account when considering the prospects of recovery.
Normally, an adult with a healthy immune system has a good chance of a full recovery with prompt and prompt treatment. This usually occurs within a few weeks. However, it must be taken into account that people who develop aspiration pneumonia often suffer from additional diseases.
These weaken the airways and only allow insufficient activity of the gag reflex and swallowing. The functional limitation ultimately leads to the development of aspiration pneumonia and reduces the prospect of a complete cure.
If no medical treatment is sought, the prognosis is unfavorable. Lung abscesses can form, inflammation can develop and the airways can be restricted in their functionality. In the case of an acute failure of the airway function, the course of the disease is fatal. The size of the foreign body in the lungs is responsible for the extent of tissue damage. After the foreign body has been removed, some patients require permanent mechanical ventilation.
prevention
To prevent the development of aspiration pneumonia, potential causes should be considered and avoided if possible. Accordingly, when eating, special attention should be paid to the swallowing process to prevent foreign bodies from entering the respiratory tract.
When vomiting, you should also make sure that the acidic gastric fluid does not get into the trachea. If possible, another person should be involved in the event of aspiration of food or gastric juice, and an ambulance should be contacted in the event of complications.
aftercare
Most patients with healthy immune systems are able to completely eliminate a disease. It is important to prevent them from reoccurring. They are responsible for this themselves. Preventive measures include paying sufficient attention to swallowing when eating and drinking. Patients who vomit should take care not to get gastric fluid into the trachea.
If the typical symptoms occur, it is essential to consult a doctor. Sometimes sage tea and other naturopathic remedies help speed recovery. According to the scientific state of the art, immunity does not exist after a single illness. Patients can therefore become infected again and again. Possible complications should not be underestimated.
They often cause long-term damage. Lung failure in particular can have life-threatening consequences. The brain as the center of human activity can be attacked so severely that various basic abilities are lost.
Inpatient therapy involves removing fluids and foreign bodies. The secretion is regularly microbiologically examined in order to initiate a suitable form of therapy. Doctors administer antibiotics to destroy the pathogens. The progress of recovery or the disease can be clearly demonstrated using X-rays.
You can do that yourself
Aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and professionally. Sick people must therefore consult a doctor.
One of the most important contributions to self-help consists in making the diagnosis easier for the doctor. Anyone who notices symptoms of a suspected flu after foreign bodies or stomach acid have gotten into the lungs should definitely inform the doctor treating them about these incidents.
The same applies if water accidentally got into your lungs while swimming or as a result of an accident. The doctor can then examine the patient specifically and identify and treat possible pneumonia in good time. Long-term damage to the respiratory organs is then usually not to be feared.
People who tend to choke frequently should learn to eat slowly and with concentration, since the risk of developing aspiration pneumonia increases with each of these incidents. Even those who constantly suffer from acid reflux should have this problem treated promptly to prevent damage to the lungs.
If aspiration pneumonia has occurred, those affected can combat some of the symptoms with mild home remedies. However, this should only be done in addition to the therapy prescribed by a doctor. Cold calf compresses help against the frequently occurring high fever . In naturopathy , sage and buckhorn are used to counteract the increased production of mucus and the strong cough .
Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.