Risk Factors For Aspiration Pneumonia

Head And Neck Radiation Therapy

Individuals who have cancers of the head and neck often receive radiation therapy as part of their treatments. Although this can save lives, it also can lead to increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.

The body uses a series of sphincters to keep food and water from being inhaled rather than swallowed. Radiation can leave burns that damage the tissues of the mouth, trachea, and esophagus, which sometimes leaves these sphincters less functional. Because of damage to tissues, many individuals do not realize they are inhaling small amounts of food and fluid until they become ill. As a result, head and neck radiation therapy will dramatically increase an individual's risk of developing aspiration pneumonia.

Discover more ways the risk of aspiration pneumonia increases now.