Aspiration is the accidental entrance of food or saliva into a person’s windpipe (trachea). It usually occurs when a person has difficulty swallowing due to problems with the muscles or nerves in the mouth and throat.
When we chew food and drink fluids, our mouth, tongue and throat work to move the fluid and food down a tube called the esophagus. The esophagus leads to the stomach. Our windpipe or trachea is the tube next to the esophagus that we breathe air in and out of, which leads to the lungs. When a person is not able to move fluids and/or solid food from the mouth to the stomach, the food or fluid accidentally enters the person’s windpipe. Then, as he or she breathes in, the food or liquid ends up in the lungs.
Swallowing is complex
It requires nerves in the face, mouth and muscles of the tongue, throat, larynx (voice box), and jaw to all work together. A variety of medical problems can make swallowing difficult.
If you care for a person who has difficulty swallowing, you must take steps to protect that person from aspiration when eating or drinking liquids. Aspiration is serious as it can lead to pneumonia, which is life threatening.
Aspiration is the accidental entrance of food or saliva into a person's windpipe.