Three common symptoms of aspiration include coughing when drinking, difficulty feeding, and frequent respiratory infections. Aspiration occurs when food, liquid, or saliva enters the airway instead of going down the esophagus into the stomach.
Common Symptoms of Aspiration
Recognizing the signs of aspiration is crucial for timely intervention. The symptoms can vary in severity and presentation.
Here are three key indicators of aspiration:
- Coughing When Drinking: This is one of the most common and noticeable symptoms, especially when consuming thin liquids. The coughing reflex is the body's attempt to clear the airway after material has entered it.
- Difficulty Feeding: Children and infants, in particular, may exhibit signs of difficulty during mealtimes. This can manifest as an unwillingness to eat, prolonged feeding times, or distress during feeding.
- Frequent Respiratory Infections: Aspiration can lead to material entering the lungs, which can cause inflammation and infection. Consequently, individuals experiencing aspiration may suffer from recurrent pneumonia or frequent respiratory illnesses.
Other signs of aspiration can include noisy breathing while drinking, gagging during meals, back arching during feeding, and even the skin turning a bluish color in more severe cases. If you suspect aspiration, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management. For more information on aspiration, you can visit Boston Children's Hospital.
