Eating Problems

Yesterday, John's teachers told me that they fear John could be aspirating when he eats. They recommended I get a swallow test done to check it out.

I thought I'd use today's blog to discuss aspiration. Using NYU Medical Center Online as a resource, here is the information I found.


"Aspiration is the abnormal entry of food or liquid into the windpipe and subsequently into the lungs. Aspiration is important because it may lead to the development of pneumonia and/or long term lung complications. Normally, food and liquid are diverted around the breathing passages and directed into the esophagus. In certain disease processes, however, these mechanisms do not function normally, and aspiration occurs.

Aspiration may be detectable as a cough or gagging associated with food or liquid intake, or it may have no associated symptoms. So-called “silent aspiration” is troublesome, because if is very difficult to detect."

It can cause Aspiration Pneumonia.

About.com defines aspiration Pneumonia as : "Aspiration pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes due to the inhalation of food, drinks or other foreign matter into the lungs. It occurs most often in patients who have difficulty swallowing or controlling their gag reflexes. The gag reflex keeps "foreign" material from entering the lungs and causing infection. "

Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia include:

Fever

Cough

Fatigue

Chest Pain

Shortness of Breath

Cyanosis of the skin

Rapid Heart Rate

Wheezing