Aspiration Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and airways to the lungs (bronchial tubes) from breathing. Tiny particles from the mouth frequently dribble or are inhaled (aspirated) into the airways. Usually they are cleared out by normal defense mechanisms (such as coughing) before they can get into the lungs and cause inflammation or infection. When such particles are not cleared, they can cause aspiration pneumonia.
Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia
Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia include:
Bluish discoloration of the skin
Chest pain
Cough
With foul-smelling phlegm (sputum)
With sputum containing pus or blood
With greenish sputum
Fatigue
Fever
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Breath odor
Excessive sweating
Swallowing difficulty
Treatment and Prognosis of Aspiration Pneumonia
Treatment depends on the severity of the pneumonia. Treatment could be as simple as receiving antibiotics that treat the bacteria to extreme measures of needing to be hospitalized.
The outcome of aspiration pneumonia depends on the severity of the pneumonia, the type of bacteria causing the pneumonia, and how much of the lungs were involved.
The patient could have a long-term illness if acute respiratory failure develops. The outcome may also be affected if the person who has aspiration pneumonia has other serious health problems.
Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia
To prevent aspiration pneumonia:
Avoid behaviors that may lead to aspiration, such as excessive alcohol use
Become aware of the risks of aspiration
Risks of Aspiration Pneumonia
The most common risks of aspiration pneumonia are:
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Low blood pressure
Pneumonia with lung abscess
Shock
Spread of infection to the bloodstream
Spread of infection to other areas of the body
Contact a Michigan Aspiration Pneumonia Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or a family member had aspiration pneumonia and believe that a hospital or doctor did not properly treat your condition, you should contact our office immediately to discuss your case. There are strict time limitations for filing medical malpractice cases in Michigan and if you wait too long, your case may be barred forever. Call us now at (800) 606-1717or simply submit this contact form.
You should also request our FREE BOOK, "The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook," which explains the legal process in Michigan and what must be proven to win your case. We will send out the book immediately to you.
We handle Michigan medical malpractice cases in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Canton, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Flint, Garden City, Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe, Hazel Park, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kentwood, Lansing, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, Mount Clements, Muskegon, Novi, Oak Park, Okemos Owosso, Pontiac, Port Huron, Portage, Rochester, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, Shelby Township, Southtgate, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Troy, Utica, Warren, Waterford, Westland, Wyoming, Ypsilanti, Zeeland Alcona County, Alger County, Allegan County, Alpena County, Atrim County, Arenac County, Baraga County, Barry County, Bay County, Benzie County, Berrien County, Branch County, Calhoun County, Cass County, Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Chippewa County, Clare, County, Clinton County, Crawford County, Delta County, Dickinson County, Eaton County, Emmet County, Gladwin County, Genesee, Gogebic County, Grand Traverse County, Gratiot County, Hillsdale County, Houghton County, Huron County, Ingham County, Ionia County, Iosco County, Iron County, Isabella County, Jackson County, Kalamazoo County, Kalkaska County, Kent County, Keweenaw County, Lake County, Lapeer County, Leelanau County, Lenawee County, Livingston County, Luce County, Mackinac County, Macomb County, Manistee County, Marquette County, Mason County, Mecosta County, Menominee County, Midland County, Missaukee County, Montcalm County, Montmorency County, Muskegon County, Monroe County, Newaygo County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Ogemaw County ,Ontonagon County, Osceola County, Oscoda County, Otsego County, Presque Isle County, Ottawa County, Roscommon County, Saginaw County, Saint Joseph County, Sanilac County, Schoolcraft County, Shiawassee County, St. Clair County, Tuscola County, Van Buren County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, Wexford County and all Michigan cities and counties. We handle Michigan medical malpractice cases involving misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, wrongful death, emergency room errors, surgery mistakes, anesthesia injuries, failure to diagnose cancer, gallbladder surgery, bariatric and gastric bypass surgery, medication errors, pharmacy, meningitis, pneumonia, lasik surgery, aortic aneurysm, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, strokes, pulmonary embolism, blindness, cauda equina syndrome, oral cancer, blood clots, hip dysplasia, hospital falls, spinal surgery, heart attacks, hospital infections, chiropractor injuries, podiatrist mistakes, and all other medical negligence cases.
