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What is Aspiration?
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Last Updated
11th o April, 2008
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Reflux is the movement of fluid from the stomach to the oesophagus. In the back of the throat there are openings to the oesophagus and the airway to the lungs called the trachea. When you breathe, this valve opens allowing air into the lungs. When you eat the epiglotis at the back of the throat closes so that food does not pass into the trachea. Sometime when you eat, liquids especially, may 'go down the wrong way' and you cough.

The process of liquids entering the trachea is called aspiration; coughing is the body's way of clearing the trachea. The trachea and oesophagus lie right next to each other. If reflux happens it can occasionally travel up the oesophagus and into the trachea and that is also aspiration. The risk of aspiration is increased at night when you lay down and do not have the benefit of gravity helping to keep liquids down. Further complciations can occur if teh liquids pass the trachea and into the lungs.

One way to help avoid aspiration is elevating the sleeping position with a wedge or cot bed blocks.
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