Details On Aspiration Precautions That Should Be Observed

By Lucia Weeks


Aspiration normally occurs when a person inhales a liquid or a solid into the lungs. This can cause a lot of damage and at the worst stage can lead to death. For this reason, aspiration precautions should be looked into. One has to look at their health status. They should find out if they could be at risk of such problems and how to prevent them.

Some occurrences could make one experience this difficulty. Sometimes the esophagus may decrease in width preventing food from properly going down this tube. Some medical problems one could have can cause swallowing to be quite hard. Some individuals cannot cough when food lands in the wrong place therefore dislodging it. Feeding with a tube could also lead to this.

There a couple of signs and symptoms that can be noted. Consistent coughing after one swallows is a sign. Breathing can also become harder. It may start off as being real quick then slow. Someone could also cough up sputum that looks quite nasty with small particles of food. Some people appear different because they lack air to breathe.

Only an expert can tell for sure what is going on. So it is good to go for a checkup. Undergoing an x ray can be one such step done. This helps get an overview of the chest area. The medical officer can evaluate the eating habits of the patient. This also involves the ease or difficulty in swallowing. Those interested in surgery to fix the problem can also consider it.

Special care ought to be given to people who are likely to undergo this. While eating they should sit upright to ensure the food goes to the right place. There should be no rush while eating and food needs to be chewed properly. Those who have cognitive problems should not be distracted whatsoever. Check their mouths for any remains after eating.

People who use feeding tubes should also be careful to avoid this situation. They should be kept upright as much as possible. This ought to be especially when they are getting continuous feeding. They should not lay flat as this may cause complications. In case they have to lie flat, the pump must be turned off. The tube should be checked for residuals to avoid taking in large feedings.

There are a couple of preventive measures that can go a long way in helping this people. They should not be forced or rushed while eating. They should also eat small amounts at a time. There should be oral care before and after meals to ensure nothing goes to the wrong place. During this process small amounts of water should be used.

Nurses can find alternatives to medicines that cause difficulty in swallowing. This is important in the case of these individuals. They should take in proper foods that do not have a lot of crumbles and are not dry or sticky. Families and caretakers should have the technical know how of dealing with these people. They always need someone by their side. Information is vital and should be acquired at any cost.




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