Saturday, December 28, 2019

Aspiration pneumonia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Aspiration pneumonia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You

Aspiration pneumonia

Pneumonia is a breathing condition in which there is swelling or an infection of the lungs or large airways.
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when food, saliva, liquids, or vomit is breathed into the lungs or airways leading to the lungs, instead of being swallowed into the esophagus and stomach.

Causes

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 were recently hospitalized
  • Your recent antibiotic use
  • Whether your immune system is weakened
Risk factors for breathing in (aspiration) of foreign material into the lungs are:
  • Being less alert due to medicines, illness, or other reasons
  • Coma
  • Drinking large amounts of alcohol
  • Receiving 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

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