Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pulmonary aspiration pathophysiology
Introduction
Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.
Overview
Overview
The lungs are normally protected against aspiration by a series of “protective reflexes” such as coughing and swallowing. Significant aspiration can only occur if the protective reflexes are absent (in neurological disease, coma, drug overdose, sedation or general anesthesia). In intensive care, sitting patients up reduces the risk of pulmonary aspiration and ventilator associated pneumonia.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]