About this topic
Aspiration pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. Breathing food, vomit, or liquids into your lungs may cause this illness. This causes the lungs to make mucus and leads to infection. A poor gag reflex is the most likely cause of this illness. Problems with swallowing food or drinks may also be a cause. This illness happens most often in older people. It is also common in people who cannot get out of bed. People who have had a stroke may have trouble swallowing. This may also lead to aspiration pneumonia. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Learn to eat slowly and chew your food well before swallowing.
- If swallowing is hard for you, ask if your food should be pureed. This makes the food easier to swallow. You may use a straw instead of spoon for eating food.
- Take your drugs as ordered. Do not skip doses. Do not take any other drugs before talking with your doctor.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day unless told not to. This helps loosen your mucus so you can cough it up better.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier and be sure to clean it every day.
- Get lots of rest. If you have trouble sleeping at night, take naps at day time.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Loosen mucus
- Lower fever
- Control coughing
- Make the swelling in your airways and lungs go away
You may be given other drugs based on your condition. These may include inhalers and steroids. Your doctor will give specific instructions about the drugs you may need to take. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Get enough rest while recovering from your illness. You will need to stay home from work or school at least 24 hours after your fever has gone away and your cough has gotten better. Ask your doctor when you can return to your normal activities. ‚
What problems could happen?
- More trouble breathing
- Fluid in your lungs
- Low blood pressure
- Cough with mucus that has blood in it or is green in color
- Shock
- Spread of infection to your bloodstream and other parts of your body
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Learn to eat slowly and chew your food fully. Avoid actions that may lead to aspiration pneumonia. This includes: ‚
- Drinking too much beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
- Talking or laughing while eating
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Pass out or feel like you are going to pass out
- Problems thinking clearly
- Breathing problems get worse
- Cough does not get better with your drugs
- Cough up blood
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you if I need to make changes with how I eat or drink.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more trouble breathing or my cough does not get better.
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1069.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚