The inflammation of the lungs caused by the inhalation of foreign matter such as saliva, food or nasal secretions is called aspiration pneumonia. This type of condition could be caused in theory by any fluids or solid irritants that enter the respiratory tract, even by the dust particles. The inflammation of the lower respiratory tract's soft tissues, membranes and organs involved in the process of breathing can generate moderate to high fever. If left untreated, this condition can produce atelectasis, partial lung failure. As a complication of aspiration pneumonia, different other infections may appear at pulmonary level, even though this condition is not of infectious nature. Aspiration pneumonia can lead to severe bacterial pneumonia because of the lung inflammation and the weakening of the defense system and in some severe cases; it can lead to death through asphyxiation.
The highest risk in developing aspiration pneumonia is presented by people who have problems swallowing, persons that have a bad cough reflex and people with serious disabilities that require bed confinement. The immobility and the prolonged horizontal position of the body increases the possibility for nasal and mouth secretions to enter the respiratory tract and also, this position of the body may cause regurgitation of the stomach content allowing the fluids to reach the lungs through the upper respiratory tract and thus cause the aspiration pneumonia. The comatose patients are fed through tubes that are inserted directly in the stomach but the stomach fluid reflux can allow fluids to reach the throat or mouth, thus making them expose to aspiration pneumonia.
If the body and torso of a comatose or paralyzed patient are slightly elevated while feeding, the risk of producing the factors that cause aspiration pneumonia can be eliminated. This position should be maintained for at least 30 minutes after feeding. A special medical care is required if the patients have an overproduction of saliva. For this patients, a permanent monitoring is required and constant suctioning of the excess saliva or frequent wiping of the mouth and nose for preventing aspirating pneumonia from appearing. The risk for aspiration pneumonia in comatose or disabled patients can also be reduced by constant changing of their position.
Medical assistance is immediately required by patients who present symptoms of fluid inhalation. On of the best methods of clearing the respiratory tract from the fluids or solid matters inhaled is through tube suctioning. The inhaled foreign matter can be also eliminated by coughing. This can be achieved through massage or by putting pressure on the chest.
For the prevention of aspiration pneumonia among comatose or disabled patients, a permanent monitoring is required. And even though this form of pneumonia can be easily treated if discovered in time, it still has a high rate of decease.