My brother was hospitalized in intensive care yesterday because apparently he overdosed and passed out. While passed out he vomited and all the vomit went back into his lungs. He is now being held in an unconscious state for now and my family and I are still waiting to hear from doctors....can anyone tell me the risks and effects of something like this happening? Thank you.
2007-09-10 03:40:09 · 13 answers · asked by yasmin76nyc 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
I do agree with the chorus from the above answerers. But, aspiration pnuemonia is not a simple matter. Most of the time it will lead into a condition called ARDS(Acure Respiratory Distress Syndrome) which is very serious and most patients in this situation will end up in ventilator with the tube put in down into the wind pipe(trachea).
During the acute phase, they may require a minimal amount of oxygen via the breathing machine but, later stage due to the overwhelming infection and illness they will require a higher per cent of oxygen which some time hits hundred percentage in order to meet the oxygen demands of the body.
During this situation, the patient will normally be sedated to help the ventilator to breath for themselves so that to allow the injury(lungs) to recover during the course of the time. Patients in this situation will be treated with antibiotics normally Flagyl and Cefuroxime into the vein.
If the oxygen requirement still is high, the doctors in the intensive care unit may try to turn the patient on to his tummy(prone position) in order to improve the oxygenation. It is quite risky procedure. However, the effect varies from patient to patient.
Normally, the acute phase lasts for 3 to 5 days. However, in my experience, I had seen the effect for 7-8 days. If everything becomes alright in relation to the oxygen requirement and other organ support(blood pressure drugs) that the patient getting, the breathing tube will be taken out allowing the patient to breath himself. Again it depends on various factors. I am sure the intensive care nurses and doctors will be able to help you to get the up to date information regarding management plans.
People may say it is only a aspiration pneumonia. But, it has got such a nasy effect on your sysytem and will make you extremely sick.
Hope, this helps.
2007-09-10 11:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by Remo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Can anyone tell me what happens when vomit enters the lungs?
My brother was hospitalized in intensive care yesterday because apparently he overdosed and passed out. While passed out he vomited and all the vomit went back into his lungs. He is now being held in an unconscious state for now and my family and I are still waiting to hear from doctors....can...
2015-08-14 04:48:23 · answer #2 · answered by Reube 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here, let me give you the CORRECT information.
This is simply known as "aspiration". Should an infection result it will be called "aspiration pneumonia". Because of the acidity of stomach contents (vomit) it will begin to deteriorate the lung tissue.
Lungs are exceptionally resilient and will be able to recover from the damage.
Your brother is being held in an unconscious state because of his drug overdose issues (and perhaps to circumvent withdrawal or seizures). You did not mention anything about this so I don't have any details for you.
This sort of thing happens all the time, and can be deadly, but is easily-managed in a hospital.
My biggest concern is your brother's drug issues. I am confident that he can recover from the aspiration, but no so sure he will recover from the overdose.
2007-09-10 04:01:33 · answer #3 · answered by emt_mmt 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is called aspiration pneumonia. It can be extremely serious. The particles of vomit, along with gastric acid and bacteria can cause a lot of lung damage and a very sever infection. If your brother is otherwise healthy, he should have a decent chance of full recovery.
2007-09-10 03:45:34 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have Aids so I'm always having esophagus problems. Just vomiting up something can slip into the lungs bad feeling when something goes in lungs the body will ultimately make it cough it up. But get help
2016-10-29 11:34:17 · answer #5 · answered by larry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aspiration pneumonia
Pneumonia can also be caused by inhaling substances, such as caustic chemicals, food or vomit into the lungs. This is known as "aspiration" pneumonia and is not infectious.
This happens sometimes, but not all the time. I hope your brother is feeling better soon. Good luck to you and your family.
2007-09-10 03:45:43 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Aspiration Pneumonia-causes a nasty pneumonia, treatable with the right antibiotics. Sounds like as far as his lungs go, he should be fine. The OD...now that is another story. Good Luck!~The brain was with decreased o2 for awhile, wonder what his mental state will be...anoxic encephalopathy.
2007-09-10 03:45:16 · answer #7 · answered by Doug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lung tissue gets burned by the stomach acids in the vomit.
If enough is inhaled, the victim drowns.
2007-09-10 03:43:59 · answer #8 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of the biggest risks of aspiration is pneumonia. Pnemonia is very dangerous and they will probably have him hooked up to some strong antibiotics until his lungs are clear.
2007-09-10 03:49:20 · answer #9 · answered by emilycfh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
inhaling vomit back into the lungs causes a drowning effect, had he stopped breathing before aid got to him needing ressusitation?
its a waiting game i suspect to see if he wakes up and recovers.. if he has indeed stoped breathing and needed resusuitation there is a chance of brain damage
also depending on what he overdosed on there is a chance of damage to his internal organs especially his liver
2007-09-10 03:47:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋