Why pneumonia after surgery

Simple steps for breathing easier after surgery If your treatment plan includes surgery, you should know that your recovery will be slower if you get pneumonia. What is pneumonia? How does surgery increase the risk? Take care of your mouth and teeth. Removing germs from your mouth keeps them from traveling down your airway to your lungs. Your doctor may give you a prescription mouthwash to use.

Always keep the head of your hospital bed at a degree angle. Do your deep breathing and coughing exercises. When you are awake, use your incentive spirometer 10 times every hour. Antibiotics and other medications may help. Breathing assistance can, too. So if you see signs of pneumonia, tell a healthcare worker immediately.

They can create a care plan that is right for you. Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

If a case of aspiration pneumonia is caught early, a patient may be successfully treated with antibiotics—but if allowed to progress, it can cause lung scarring or even death. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that pneumonia after surgery is likely to prove fatal for many patients. The report found that 21 percent of patients who suffered aspiration pneumonia died within 30 days of surgery, many of whom had suffered:. Studies suggest that these aspirations occur at least once in 90 percent of sedated patients, but many medical professionals consider this to be a low estimate as many events go unnoticed.