How To Treat Aspiration Pneumonia

Breathing Machine Assistance

Breathing machine assistance may be needed as part of treatment for severe aspiration pneumonia. The affected individual's trachea and oropharynges may need to be suctioned to remove particles of food or other substances. Breathing machine assistance is considered when a patient is experiencing respiratory failure, mental changes, poor oxygenation, or difficulty with breathing. The lung tissues may sustain damage from the bacteria that caused the infection or by the inflammatory response that follows it. When an individual's lung tissues become too damaged to perform their function of filling with air and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, they may need assistance with breathing. The breathing machine tube is placed in the patient's windpipe and performs the same functions as the lungs and surrounding muscles to bring air into and out of the lungs. Breathing machine assistance takes place in the intensive care unit. This part of the treatment is temporary until the lungs are healthy enough to function alone.

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