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.

There are some situations that may lead to this condition. For example medical conditions that could cause the esophagus to narrow. Other diseases could make swallowing quite a task. Some people lack a gag reflex therefore putting them at risk of aspiration. Individuals who have to use a feeding tube and those less aware of their surroundings are also at risk.

Look out for the following symptoms that may occur in an individual. Coughing after swallowing could be observed. One can have difficulty in breathing. They could start of by breathing rapidly then quite slowly. They could also cough up phlegm that is smelly and has some food particles in it. Noticeable color change can be seen in some individual due to lack of oxygen.

Despite these symptoms, proper diagnosis can only be done by an expert. Chest cavity x rays can be done to view the lungs. An evaluation study of the swallowing of the patient can be done. This involves taking a look at what the person ingests. This can be beneficial in finding out what food is not good to take in. Surgery to fix the problem, bronchopsy, is an option.

Those who are likely to experiences episodes of aspiration ought to be well taken care of. They should be helped where possible. It is important for them to have good sitting positions while eating. They should eat at a pace they are comfortable with. There must be no distractions as they eat. No food should be inside their mouths when the feeding time is over.

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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