Aspiration pneumonia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and airways to the lungs (bronchial tubes) from breathing in foreign material. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when foreign materials (usually food, liquids, vomit, or fluids from the mouth) are breathed into the lungs or airways leading to the lungs. | Aspiration pneumonia is [[inflammation]] of the [[Lung|lungs]] and [[Airway|airways]] to the [[Lung|lungs]] ([[Bronchiole|bronchial]] tubes) from [[breathing]] in foreign material. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when foreign materials (usually food, liquids, [[Nausea and vomiting|vomit]], or fluids from the mouth) are breathed into the [[Lung|lungs]] or [[Airway|airways]] leading to the lungs. This may lead to: | ||
This may lead to: | * A collection of [[pus]] in the [[Lung|lungs]] ([[lung abscess]]) | ||
* A collection of pus in the lungs (lung abscess) | * [[Edema|Swelling]] and [[inflammation]] in the [[lung]] | ||
* Swelling and inflammation in the lung | * A [[Respiratory tract infection|lung infection]] ([[pneumonia]]) | ||
* A lung infection (pneumonia) | |||
==What are the symptoms?== | ==What are the symptoms?== | ||
* Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen | * Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of [[oxygen]] | ||
* Chest pain | * [[Chest pain]] | ||
* Cough | * [[Cough]] with | ||
** Foul-smelling [[phlegm]] ([[sputum]]) | |||
** [[Pus]] | |||
** [[Blood]] | |||
* Fatigue | ** Greenish [[sputum]] | ||
* Fever | |||
* Shortness of breath | * [[Fatigue]] | ||
* Wheezing | * [[Fever]] | ||
* [[Dyspnea|Shortness of breath]] | |||
* [[Wheeze|Wheezing]] | |||
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease: | Other symptoms that can occur with this disease: | ||
* Breath odor | * [[Halitosis|Breath odor]] | ||
* Excessive sweating | * Excessive [[Perspiration|sweating]] | ||
* Swallowing difficulty | * [[Swallowing]] difficulty | ||
==What causes Aspiration pneumonia?== | ==What causes Aspiration pneumonia?== | ||
Risk factors for aspiration or breathing in of foreign material into the lungs are: | Risk factors for aspiration or breathing in of foreign material into the [[Lung|lungs]] are: | ||
* Being less alert due to medicines, illness, or other reasons | * Being less alert due to medicines, [[illness]], or other reasons | ||
* Coma | * [[Coma]] | ||
* Disorders of the esophagus, the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach (esophageal stricture, gastroesophageal reflux) | * Disorders of the [[esophagus]], the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach ([[Esophageal stricture (patient information)|esophageal stricture]], [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease (patient information)|gastroesophageal reflux]]) | ||
* Drinking large amounts of alcohol | * Drinking large amounts of [[alcohol]] | ||
* Medicine to put you into a deep sleep for surgery (general anesthesia) | * Medicine to put you into a deep sleep for [[surgery]] ([[General anaesthesia|general anesthesia]]) | ||
* Old age | * Old age | ||
* Poor gag reflex in people who are not alert (unconscious or semi-conscious) after a stroke or brain injury | * Poor [[gag reflex]] in people who are not alert ([[Unconsciousness|unconscious]] or semi-conscious) after a [[stroke]] or [[Brain damage|brain injury]] | ||
* Problems with swallowing | * Problems with [[swallowing]] | ||
Acidic material that is breathed into the lungs can cause severe lung injury. However, it may not necessarily lead to pneumonia. | [[Acid|Acidic]] material that is breathed into the [[Lung|lungs]] can cause severe [[lung]] injury. However, it may not necessarily lead to [[Pneumonia (patient information)|pneumonia]]. | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Patients with decreased immunity. | Patients with decreased [[Immunity (medical)|immunity]]. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have: | Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have: | ||
* Chest pain | * [[Chest pain]] | ||
* Chills | * [[Rigor|Chills]] | ||
* Fever | * [[Fever]] | ||
* Shortness of breath | * [[Dyspnea|Shortness of breath]] | ||
* Wheezing | * [[Wheeze|Wheezing]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
A physical examination may reveal: | A physical examination may reveal: | ||
* | * Cracking sounds in the [[Lung|lungs]] | ||
* Decreased oxygen | * Decreased [[oxygen]] | ||
* Rapid pulse (heart rate) | * [[Tachycardia|Rapid pulse]] (heart rate) | ||
The following tests may also help diagnose this condition: | The following tests may also help diagnose this condition: | ||
* Arterial blood gas | * [[Arterial blood gas]] | ||
* Blood culture | * [[Blood culture]] | ||
* Bronchoscopy | * [[Bronchoscopy]] | ||
* Chest x-ray | * [[Chest X-ray|Chest x-ray]] | ||
* Complete blood count (CBC) | * [[Complete blood count]] ([[Complete blood count|CBC]]) | ||
* CT scan of the chest | * [[Computed tomography|CT scan]] of the [[chest]] | ||
* Sputum culture | * [[Sputum culture]] | ||
* Swallowing studies | * [[Swallowing]] studies | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Some people may need to be hospitalized. Treatment depends on the severity of the pneumonia. You may receive antibiotics, which treat bacteria. Some people may get special antibiotics to treat bacteria that live in the mouth. | Some people may need to be hospitalized. Treatment depends on the severity of the pneumonia. You may receive [[Antibiotic|antibiotics]], which treat bacteria. Some people may get special [[Antibiotic|antibiotics]] to treat bacteria that live in the mouth. The type of bacteria that caused the pneumonia depends on: | ||
The type of bacteria that caused the pneumonia depends on: | |||
* Your health | * Your health | ||
* Where you live (at home or in a long-term nursing facility, for example) | * Where you live (at home or in a long-term nursing facility, for example) | ||
* Whether you've recently been hospitalized | * Whether you've recently been hospitalized | ||
* Recent antibiotic use | * Recent [[antibiotic]] use | ||
You may need to have your swallowing function tested. Patients who have trouble swallowing may need to use other feeding methods to reduce the risk of aspiration. | You may need to have your [[swallowing]] function tested. Patients who have trouble [[swallowing]] may need to use other [[feeding]] methods to reduce the risk of aspiration. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Aspiration pneumonia?== | ==Where to find medical care for Aspiration pneumonia?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Aspiration pneumonia}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Aspiration pneumonia}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Aspiration pneumonia] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
The outcome depends on: | The outcome depends on: | ||
* The severity of the pneumonia | * The severity of the [[pneumonia]] | ||
* The type of bacteria causing the pneumonia | * The type of [[bacteria]] causing the [[pneumonia]] | ||
* How much of the lungs are involved | * How much of the [[Lung|lungs]] are involved | ||
If acute respiratory failure develops, the patient may have a long-term illness or die. | If [[Respiratory failure|acute respiratory failure]] develops, the patient may have a long-term illness or die. Many people who have aspiration pneumonia have other serious health problems, which may affect the outlook for recovery. | ||
Many people who have aspiration pneumonia have other serious health problems, which may affect the outlook for recovery. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Acute respiratory distress syndrome | * [[Acute respiratory distress syndrome]] | ||
* Low blood pressure | * [[Hypotension|Low blood pressure]] | ||
* Pneumonia with lung abscess | * [[Pneumonia]] with [[lung abscess]] | ||
* Shock | * [[Shock]] | ||
* Spread of infection to the bloodstream (bacteremia) | * Spread of [[infection]] to the bloodstream ([[bacteremia]]) | ||
* Spread of infection to other areas of the body | * Spread of [[infection]] to other areas of the body | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
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[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | [[Category:Pulmonology]] | ||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | [[Category:Up-To-Date]] | ||
| |||
[[Category:Primary care]] | [[Category:Primary care]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
Revision as of 17:13, 4 April 2018
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Aspiration pneumonia |
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Aspiration pneumonia On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]
Overview
Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and airways to the lungs (bronchial tubes) from breathing in foreign material. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when foreign materials (usually food, liquids, vomit, or fluids from the mouth) are breathed into the lungs or airways leading to the lungs. This may lead to:
- A collection of pus in the lungs (lung abscess)
- Swelling and inflammation in the lung
- A lung infection (pneumonia)
What are the symptoms?
- Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
- Chest pain
- Cough with
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
- Breath odor
- Excessive sweating
- Swallowing difficulty
What causes Aspiration pneumonia?
Risk factors for aspiration or breathing in of foreign material into the lungs are:
- Being less alert due to medicines, illness, or other reasons
- Coma
- Disorders of the esophagus, the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach (esophageal stricture, gastroesophageal reflux)
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol
- Medicine to put you into a deep sleep for surgery (general anesthesia)
- Old age
- Poor gag reflex in people who are not alert (unconscious or semi-conscious) after a stroke or brain injury
- Problems with swallowing
Acidic material that is breathed into the lungs can cause severe lung injury. However, it may not necessarily lead to pneumonia.
Who is at highest risk?
Patients with decreased immunity.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:
Diagnosis
A physical examination may reveal:
- Cracking sounds in the lungs
- Decreased oxygen
- Rapid pulse (heart rate)
The following tests may also help diagnose this condition:
- Arterial blood gas
- Blood culture
- Bronchoscopy
- Chest x-ray
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- CT scan of the chest
- Sputum culture
- Swallowing studies
Treatment options
Some people may need to be hospitalized. Treatment depends on the severity of the pneumonia. You may receive antibiotics, which treat bacteria. Some people may get special antibiotics to treat bacteria that live in the mouth. The type of bacteria that caused the pneumonia depends on:
- Your health
- Where you live (at home or in a long-term nursing facility, for example)
- Whether you've recently been hospitalized
- Recent antibiotic use
You may need to have your swallowing function tested. Patients who have trouble swallowing may need to use other feeding methods to reduce the risk of aspiration.
Where to find medical care for Aspiration pneumonia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Aspiration pneumonia
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The outcome depends on:
- The severity of the pneumonia
- The type of bacteria causing the pneumonia
- How much of the lungs are involved
If acute respiratory failure develops, the patient may have a long-term illness or die. Many people who have aspiration pneumonia have other serious health problems, which may affect the outlook for recovery.
Possible complications
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Low blood pressure
- Pneumonia with lung abscess
- Shock
- Spread of infection to the bloodstream (bacteremia)
- Spread of infection to other areas of the body
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000121.htm