Can you aspirate while on feeding tube?

About Aspiration Your esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. Aspiration can happen when you’re eating, drinking, or tube feeding. It can also happen when you’re vomiting (throwing up) or when you have heartburn.

How does a feeding tube cause aspiration?

The mechanisms responsible for aspiration in patients bearing a nasogastric feeding tube are (1). loss of anatomical integrity of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters, (2). increase in the frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations, and (3).

What happens if feeding tube goes into lungs?

The tube may enter the lungs Because of the proximity of the larynx to the oesophagus, the nasogastric tube may enter the larynx and trachea (Lo et al, 2008). This may cause a pneumothorax (Zausig et al, 2008). When the tube is in the airway, it will cause severe irritation and cough.

What to do if PT aspirated?

When a patient begins aspirating, you must begin suctioning the airway immediately. Mortality is closely tied to the volume of fluid a patient aspirates. By promptly suctioning the airway, you reduce exposure to contaminants and can lower the risk of hypoxia and other complications.

What are the symptoms of silent aspiration?

This is called “silent aspiration.” You may experience a sudden cough as your lungs try to clear out the substance. Some people may wheeze, have trouble breathing, or have a hoarse voice after they eat, drink, vomit, or experience heartburn. You may have chronic aspiration if this occurs frequently.

Do you aspirate a PEG tube?

Aspiration of stomach content/feed into the lungs can occur during insertion of the PEG tube because the oesophageal sphincter that stops gastric contents from refluxing into the oesophagus is held open by the endoscope.

How do you get rid of aspirated food?

Treatment includes supplemental oxygen, steroids, or help from a breathing machine. Depending on the cause of chronic aspiration, you may require surgery. For example, you may get surgery for a feeding tube if you have swallowing problems that don’t respond to treatment.

What happens aspirated food?

When food, drink, or stomach contents make their way into your lungs, they can damage the tissues there. The damage can sometimes be severe. Aspiration also increases your risk of pneumonia. This is an infection of the lungs that causes fluid to build up in the lungs.