It consists of the accidental aspiration of liquids or food through the respiratory tract. It can also occur in an unconscious person or in a baby, when vomiting or regurgitation occurs , food is accumulated in the mouth and is carried into the bronchi when inhaling, which obstructs the airways.
Causes
Aspiration can occur as a result of conditions that leave the patient in a state of unconsciousness or unable to move. It also usually occurs with babies, or with young children, since they commonly put everything they find at hand into their mouths. Especially when it comes to small things that can obstruct the airways and cause suffocation if they are not expelled in time.
Symptoms
Generally, symptoms of aspiration and obstruction of airways are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing crisis
- Stridor (noise when breathing)
- Dysphonia (changes in the timbre or intensity of the voice)
- Cyanosis (purple discoloration of the skin)
- Loss of consciousness
Prevention
Precautionary measures
- As you feed your baby, hold him semi-sitting in your arms to prevent him from taking in too much air while he is feeding.
- Make sure that he burps periodically so that the air that is trapped in the stomach is released and the ingested milk does not come out.
- Keep the child semi-sitting when he finishes taking the bottle.
- When laying him down in the crib there should be no excess toys, blankets or pillows to avoid accidents.
- If you cover his head when sleeping, use a hat integrated into the clothes he sleeps in, to prevent the baby from covering his face when moving.
- If the baby is sick, check him more often, especially after feeding or taking any medicine.
Treatment
The best thing in a case of bronchial aspiration is to remove the object or substance that obstructs the airways by means of first aid maneuvers. If it does not release easily, a tracheostomy may be necessary . Depending on the seriousness of the situation, it may be necessary to call an emergency service or go to the doctor immediately and follow his instructions to the letter.