Aspiration (definition of)
Aspiration is colloquially known as "swallowing sideways" or "going down the wrong pipe;" this happens when food or liquids enter the trachea (windpipe) instead of the esophagus. Although this happens to most people at one time or another (usually as a result of eating too quickly), it can be a chronic condition as well.
Chronic aspiration is the result of several conditions that can compromise the protective mechanisms that direct solids and liquids and air into their appropriate paths are compromised. Aspiration can result from:
- head trauma
- drug overdose
- general anesthesia
- stroke
Pathology
Aspiration is not a disease in and of itself. Rather, it is symptomatic of any number of pulmonary syndromes. The specific cause is usually determined by the amount of aspiration, how often it occurs and how the patient responds to each event. Aspiration can result from any of the following conditions:
- airway obstruction
- lung abscess
- chronic fibrosis
- pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia and pneumonitis are particularly dangerous. Aspiration pneumonitis is also known as Mendelson's Syndrome, and occurs when a patient aspirates his/her own vomit, resulting in the development of potentially harmful bacteria in the throat and lungs. According to some estimates, as many as 15% of all cases of pneumonia are of this type. Symptoms of Mendelson's Syndrome include:
- wheezing
- cyanosis (blue coloring due to oxygen deprivation)
- hoarseness
- sore throat
- fever
- night sweats
- bloody sputum
- chronic cough
These symptoms are episodic, occurring after a latency period between one and two hours.
Treatment
Treatment of aspiration will differ from one patient to another depending on the material that has been aspirated; for example, gastric acid that has been inhaled will cause injury to the lungs similar to a chemical burn. In addition, there may be inflammation, swelling and bleeding that can compromise the absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream. In many cases, a tracheotomy is necessary in order to administer suction and oxygen.
