Aspiration
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Definition |
Aspiration
occurs when liquid or solid material enters the
windpipe (trachea).
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Causes |
The body has
important protective mechanisms (reflexes) that
usually allow only air to enter the windpipe. If
these reflexes are temporarily or permanently
disturbed, then foreign materials, such as food,
saliva or stomach contents can enter the
windpipe. The protective reflexes are most
commonly disturbed when a patient is unconscious
for any reason (e.g., head injury, drug
overdose, or general anesthesia). Some forms of
brain injury, such as strokes, are also
associated with aspiration.
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Treatment |
Treatment
depends on what was aspirated. For example, if
stomach contents are aspirated, inflammation may
occur on the inner lining of the lungs (mucosa)
because of stomach acid exposure. The stomach
acid causes an injury to the inner lining of the
lungs similar to a burn. In more severe cases,
it may bleed (hemorrhage). Oxygen may not be
able to get through to the blood stream as a
result of the inflammation and swelling.
Treatment involves immediate removal of the
aspirated material by airway suctioning. Often,
the patient requires a breathing (endotracheal)
tube (inserted via a procedure called intubation)
and the support of a breathing machine
(ventilator) to improve blood oxygenation. The
blood oxygenation is determined by pulse
oximetry and/or testing blood samples for
arterial blood gases (ABG).
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Comments |
Many people
become seriously ill after aspirating a
substance that damages the lung mucosa.
Aspiration is very very serious because the
potential damage to the inner lining of the
lung. Aspiration is an important cause of acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in the
most severe forms may lead to death.
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Related Links |
Federal University Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
MedStudents of the Federal University Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, present an overview site on
aspiration.
Coma Recovery Association
Coma Recovery Association brief explanation of
aspiration.
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ICU Medical Conditions 
