So what happens when food gets into the lungs? Does the food disappear there by itself or does it have to be collected? To a pulmonologist In the content we created in consultation with A.Ş. we have discussed whether food remains in the lungs and what situations can arise if this does happen.

Although adults who laugh while eating and food enters the respiratory tract can overcome this situation by coughing, this situation is especially bad for children and people with certain diseases. It’s not that simple.

While you learn how food gets sucked into the lungs and what causes it, you can also explore its symptoms and treatment. Remember, we never know what will happen to us and when. Especially when you consider that we eat at regular intervals every day. The possibility of aspiration is entirely possible.

What is the journey of food after the mouth?

After food is swallowed, it first travels from the mouth to the throat and then through the esophagus to the stomach. This journey of food takes place with the movement of the muscles in the places it passes. However, in some cases the direction of the food changes and instead of going from the esophagus to the stomach, it travels through the vocal cords towards the respiratory tract. In this situation ‘aspiration’ in medicine It is called.

Substances that enter the airways after swallowing food can enter the lungs and cause serious complications.

If you are healthy, your immune system is strong and you have no swallowing disorders, you will not experience any complications from this event. can cough up food or you can send it to your stomach. However, aspiration can sometimes be life-threatening an emergency it can be.

In whom does aspiration usually occur?

Food enters the lungs, It is a condition that is more common in children. According to data from the United States, 80% of aspiration cases occur in children under 15 years of age. The most common age category under 15 years is 0-3 years. Cause of death of babies under 1 year old Among them, aspiration takes the first place. In Turkey, aspiration is the second leading cause of death in babies.

The main reasons why these cases spike in children between the ages of 1 and 2 are; Lack of ability to move independently, to recognize the environment and objects everything they hold in their hands, put in their mouths, They do not have full control over their locomotor and sensory systems, they do not have their back teeth, or… They cannot chew completely.

Foods that cause aspiration in children in Western countries include: peanut income. in Southeast Asia and China bone fragments; in Greece, Egypt and Turkey pumpkin seeds with sunflower seeds It is the first food that enters the lungs.

The incidence in adults is approximately 0.66 per 100 thousand. Causes of foreign body aspiration: alcohol and drug use, psychiatric disorders, medications that depress the nervous system, muscle and nerve diseases neurological deficit countable.

Tracheostomy or voice prosthesis Users are also likely to leak food into their lungs. Let’s add an interesting piece of information to this adult situation. Besides food, the main causes of aspiration are: hijab pin occurs.

If you have difficulty swallowing or an uncomfortable feeling in your throat, you may have experienced aspiration.

There are some symptoms of aspiration. During dinner suffocation It is already one of the main symptoms that reveal themselves. Strong cough, difficulty swallowing, stress while eating, weight loss and… pneumonia It’s a sign of ambition. Excessive accumulation of saliva, heartburn, feeling of discomfort in the chest, Difficulty chewing is also a symptom of this condition.

One of the serious symptoms of aspiration is pneumonia.

Inflammation can occur because the lungs react to foreign substances or due to an infection. Pneumonia may also develop. Special asthma and emphysema Those who are sick are at greater risk for pneumonia. The immune system is weak, the elderly and cigarette People who smoke are also more susceptible to aspiration pneumonia.

In an article published in the journal Critical Care Medicine in 2011, aspiration in the intensive care unit It is said to be one of the leading causes of pneumonia.

What should be done if food gets into the lungs?

It is very important to notice the situation immediately or consult a doctor if the symptoms increase. Since food left in the lungs can cause a number of problems such as infections, necessary methods should be followed to remove it. To make a diagnosis, after examining the patient, x-ray or CT can be withdrawn. But even if the chest x-ray is normal, if the suspicion persists due to the symptoms bronchoscopy makes.

Recommended handling techniques for removing foreign objects

Bronchoscopy, a method in which a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the throat, is also used to remove escaped food. with bronchoscopy initial removal of foreign objects It was built in 1897. It still retains its influence.

Sputum tests, barium swallow test and endoscopy and swallowing test are among the methods used in the diagnosis and treatment of aspiration.

Even if aspiration pneumonia is present, in some cases medication can be used to treat inflammation hospitalization occurs.

It is important to be careful while eating as this can lead to serious complications. Eating small snacks, You should avoid laughing or talking while chewing. Specially for children under 4 years old hard foods such as nuts These foods should only be crushed and added to other foods. Don’t run and play with food and feeding in an upright position Problems to consider in children.