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A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2013.
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
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.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
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
- Recent antibiotic use
Risk factors for aspiration or breathing in of foreign material into the lungs are:
- Being less alert due to medicines, illness, or other reasons
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol
- 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
Symptoms
- Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
- Chest pain
- Coughing up foul-smelling, greenish or dark phlegm (sputum) or phlegm that has pus or blood
- Problems swallowing
Signs and tests
A physical examination may reveal:
- Crackling sounds in the lungs
- Decreased oxygen
- Rapid pulse (fast heartbeat)
- Decreased mental awareness
The following tests may also help diagnose this condition:
Treatment
Some people may need to be hospitalized. Treatment depends on how severe the pneumonia is. Sometimes a ventilator (breathing machine) is needed to support breathing.
You will likely receive antibiotics.
You may need to have your swallowing function tested. Persons who have trouble swallowing may need to use other feeding methods to reduce the risk of aspiration.
Expectations (prognosis)
Outcome depends on:
- Health of the person before getting pneumonia
- Type of bacteria causing the pneumonia
- How much of the lungs are involved
More severe infections may result in long-term damage to the lungs.
Complications
- Lung abscess
- Spread of infection to the bloodstream (bacteremia)
- Spread of infection to other areas of the body
- Respiratory failure
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
References
- Limper AH. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman’s Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 97.
- Torres A, Menendez R, Wunderink R. Pyogenic bacterial pneumonia and lung abscess. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al, eds. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 32.
Review Date: 1/24/2013.
Reviewed by: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
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Nutritional support for adults with swallowing difficulties
A number of conditions compromise the transport of food along the digestive tract. Patients with swallowing disturbances can develop low nutritional status, which affects their recovery from illness, surgery, and injury. Conditions associated with swallowing disorders include neurological diseases, dementia, cancers of the head and neck, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, physical obstruction, and dysphagia from stroke. Nasogastric tube feeding is a time proven technique to provide nutritional support; the tube can be inserted by a nurse. Percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG) involves a feeding tube inserted directly into the stomach through the abdomen and is particularly useful when enteral nutrition is needed for a length of time. Prolonged use of a nasal tube can lead to complications such as damage to the nose and larynx, chronic sinusitis, gastro‐oesophageal reflux, and aspirative pneumonia.
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