Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Better Ways Of Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention

By Joanna Walsh


Diseases of the airway are increasing from time to time among the people in the population. This phenomenon has been associated with rising level of pollution all over the world. Pneumonia is one of these numerous airway infections and it affects both old and young persons. It may be caused by several factors. One of such factors is aspiration and therefore there is need for aspiration pneumonia prevention as a way of reducing airway disease burden in the population.

There are various causes of such a lung disease that need to be known and avoided at all cost. In general terms, this disease may be the result of a number of factors including inhalation of vomited substance, food or any other form of viscous fluids. The inhaled substance causes a form of trauma that finally leads to infection and consequently inflammation of lung epithelium.

Although all persons are at risk, others are more predisposed than others because of their health state. Because of this, there is dire need for due diligence in preventing any possible aspiration. Patients in coma, delirium, convulsive disorder or those fed using tubes are but a few examples of predisposed persons.

Tube feeding is one activity that is known to cause this disease. Several feeding guidelines must be adhered to so as to ensure success. For instance, a tube should be inserted by a professional and a confirmatory imaging done to ensure well positioning before use. Even so, periodic checks should be performed and vigilant observations carried out during such a procedure. Better still, correct feeds and feeding guidelines must be observed to avoid wrong and erroneous feeding practices.

Clients with altered states of consciousness should be positioned in a manner that limits chances of accidental aspiration. Such a position involves elevation of a bed to an angle of 45 degrees. Better still; a patient needs to rest on their left lateral position so as to promote free drainage of secreted saliva that may otherwise be drawn into lungs.

Another category of people who really need help to prevent this phenomenon are the critically ill patients. These may be as a result of acute or chronic illness. Whichever the case may be, these people are completely or partially unaware of the environment. For instance, patients with tracheal tube may have micro aspiration that is sustained thereby leading to accumulation of the aspirates and consequently infection. Care should be taken by periodically clearing the airway as the need may be.

Good oral care is necessary for various reasons in both healthy and sick persons. In real sense, no one should claim good health sate when oral care is not done. It helps in preventing teeth decay, bad breath and more importantly infection in case of aspiration. Unclean mouth is full of bacteria and therefore a very big risk to good health in case it finds its way to the airway.

Finally, it is worth noting that prevention is far much better and acceptable that reaction measures. Whenever possible, all identified risk factors must be controlled and or eliminated to limit any chance of developing a disease.




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