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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Stroke Cause Food To Move Into Lungs Than Stomach?

my dad had a stroke last friday, and now he has doubble a mounia could this mean the food that he swallows goes to the lungs and not the stomic. They now whant to put a tube in his nose for feeding, please give me more information on this. Thank you Madalyne
Mon, 13 Oct 2014
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Neurologist,  's  Response
I believe what you were told about your father is that he suffers from a "DOUBLE PNEUMONIA." Technically speaking PNEUMONIA refers to inflammation of the lungs (usually caused by bacterial or viral infections). I believe that in your father's case it is also likely that he has aspirated food or drink into the lungs because of the stroke and this may also be another reason for the infection. Sometimes if the lungs are simply inflamed and not truly infected from swallowing food or liquid down the wrong way we refer to it as a PNEUMONITIS due to aspiration. This is not a pneumonia but rather an irritation of the lungs from things going into the windpipe and then, down. It is not truly a pneumonia. Whichever these cases it may be the treatment for this condition is to place a tube into the patient's stomach, either through the nose or the mouth, in order to control feeding and lessen the risk of something going down the wrong way thereby complicating what already is a complicated situation. While the tube is down your father will be watched for recovery from both the pneumonia as well as his stroke. When it appears as if he can once again control his direction of food and beverage flow through his esophagus he will be allowed to eat normally. Until then, the tube should stay down though it is uncomfortable and most patients really don't like it at all. Not much choice though if the patient wants to get better and not stay in the hospital longer or worse. Good luck!
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Neurologist,  Dr. Olsi Taka's  Response
Yes it is possible for patients with stroke to be unable to swallow and have food go into their airways causing serious lung infections. Usually it happens with big size stroke or stroke involving critical areas involved in commanding the structures in your throat. In these cases a tube inserted by the nose up to the stomach is used. It is an easy procedure which apart from reducing the risk of aspiration also facilitates feeding the patient or giving oral drugs.
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Can Stroke Cause Food To Move Into Lungs Than Stomach?

I believe what you were told about your father is that he suffers from a DOUBLE PNEUMONIA. Technically speaking PNEUMONIA refers to inflammation of the lungs (usually caused by bacterial or viral infections). I believe that in your father s case it is also likely that he has aspirated food or drink into the lungs because of the stroke and this may also be another reason for the infection. Sometimes if the lungs are simply inflamed and not truly infected from swallowing food or liquid down the wrong way we refer to it as a PNEUMONITIS due to aspiration. This is not a pneumonia but rather an irritation of the lungs from things going into the windpipe and then, down. It is not truly a pneumonia. Whichever these cases it may be the treatment for this condition is to place a tube into the patient s stomach, either through the nose or the mouth, in order to control feeding and lessen the risk of something going down the wrong way thereby complicating what already is a complicated situation. While the tube is down your father will be watched for recovery from both the pneumonia as well as his stroke. When it appears as if he can once again control his direction of food and beverage flow through his esophagus he will be allowed to eat normally. Until then, the tube should stay down though it is uncomfortable and most patients really don t like it at all. Not much choice though if the patient wants to get better and not stay in the hospital longer or worse. Good luck!