Advice for prevention of aspiration pneumonia

Hi. Can anyone help woth advice for preventing aspiration pneumonia? Position ing in bed, etc?

Hello @Talia.talia
Welcome. I unfortunately suffered from aspiration pneumonia due to my dysphagia, twice already this year, you do slowly recover and the lung mucus lessens bit by bit over time.

Other than doing daily physiotherapy breathing exercises and adding thickener to all my fluids, I’ve also now returned to choir singing with the hope it will help rehabilitate my lung capacity, I think it has helped a bit. :musical_score:
Regards,
JP

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I have, for years (having asthma) slept in a slightly propped up position with multiple pillows, and sometimes a pillow under my knees; when I sleep in a ‘flatter’ position I tend to cough more (saliva/nasal drip).

I always have meals at the table, never slouching in a chair/on the sofa. Being upright helps the whole swallowing/epiglotis movement work better.

I have trouble with solids, in particular things like meat and bread.

I eat in a most ladylike fashion with little bites of food, small amounts on fork or spoon, chewing carefully, making sure the first mouthful has cleared properly (with a sip of water if necessary) before tackling the next.

Watch out for conversation whilst eating too - guaranteed to catch you out.

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