Aspiration is the medical term for when a fluid or solid accidentally enters your windpipe and lungs.
This usually causes you to cough out the foreign substance.
In severe cases, it can lead to a serious complication like pneumonia.
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Airway Aspiration
Airway aspiration refers to the drawing in of a foreign substance into the lungs.
This may include:
Does aspiration mean choking?
Aspiration is different from choking in that the airways are not completely blocked.
Air still flows in and out the lungs, albeit with obstruction.
In some cases, however, the person may not realize that aspiration has occurred.
The primary concern of accidental aspiration is the development of a lung infection known as aspiration pneumonia.
In most cases, aspiration pneumonia is the result of a bacterial infection.
This even includes saliva.
Unlike aspiration pneumonia, chemical pneumonia causes inflammation in the lungs but is not an infection.
How Aspiration is Treated
Most people recover from aspiration pneumonia with treatment.
When due to a bacterial infection, aspiration pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics.
Steroids to reduce inflammation can also help.
Some people require supplemental oxygen.
It may be used to remove excessive or harmful fluids from the body.
The aspirated fluid can then be sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis.
Aspiration for Medical Treatment
Fluid can build up inside the body for many reasons.
When this happens, small amounts can be drawn off using a needle and syringe.
Larger amounts orthicker liquidmay need to be drained over a period of time using a thin plastic tube.
Aspiration of a foreign substance into the lungs can lead to complications such as pneumonia.
Aspiration of fluid may also be done so the fluid can be analyzed in a laboratory for diagnostic purposes.
National Library of Medicine.Aspiration.
National Library of Medicine.Aspiration pneumonia.
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