Everyone aspirates. However, for some, particularly those with dysphagia or complex medical status, aspiration can result in negative medical consequences. The literature on aspiration spans across multiple disciplines which challenges the implementation of evidenced-based aspiration management and rehabilitation. Several studies have evaluated variables that increase the risk of a negative medical consequence from aspiration. Despite the available evidence of the variables that impact response to aspiration, management and rehabilitation decisions are often guided by the presence or absence of aspiration instead of the variables known to impact the outcome of aspiration. Guided by the evidence from these landmark studies, a recent publication provided a framework for implementation of current evidence in the management of dysphagia for those who aspirate.
As aspiration occurs in all humans, and not all individuals have a significant negative reaction to the aspiration event(s), it is clear that there are physiologic mechanisms to protect individuals when these events occur. The goal of this Research Topic is to clarify current knowledge on responses to aspiration. Management and rehabilitation of aspiration requires a knowledge base across multiple disciplines. Breaking the discipline silos to foster enlightened management will enhance patient care and outcomes. The goal of this Research Topic is to attract contributions across various medical disciplines to address our current understanding of aspiration across the life span (e.g., how it is managed in healthy individuals and those with disease or poor health, and how does this differ across the lifespan), propose management approaches, and identify pathways to improve implementation of current evidence.
In our goal to clarify our understanding aspiration and busting myths that may still exist, the following topic areas will be considered for inclusion in this collection. We seek contributions of original research, reviews, and tutorials.
Nuts and Bolts of Aspiration: Not all Aspiration is the Same:
We seek submissions that address (a) physiologic response to aspiration, (b) potential consequences of aspiration (I.e., lung injury and impact on overall physiology as a function of the type and amount of aspiration), and (c) impact of age on response to aspiration (e.g., difference between pediatrics and adults).
Discipline Specific Approaches to Aspiration Management:
We seek to have this collection provide an interdisciplinary overview of aspiration management. We desire submissions from a variety of disciplines (e.g., SLP, GI, ENT, pulmonology, neurology). In each discipline, topic areas may vary. Interdisciplinary research is appreciated.
The following serves as a list of examples of areas of interest for this collection. We would like to advance knowledge in (a) assessment or management of aspiration, cough and laryngeal sensation across disciplines, (b) SLP or pulmonology treatment of sensation or cough strength, (c) ethics and end of life impact on aspiration management, (d) guidelines to drive clinical decisions / NPO recommendations in those who aspirate, (e) diet modification and the impact on aspiration (e.g., problems with thickening when aspiration still occurs), (f) impact of extra-esophageal reflux on lung health, and (g) impact of aspiration on developing lungs or impaired lungs.
Implementation Science
We seek articles on ways to support the application of evidence into the management of individuals who aspirate, particularly for those that have dysphagia.
Everyone aspirates. However, for some, particularly those with dysphagia or complex medical status, aspiration can result in negative medical consequences. The literature on aspiration spans across multiple disciplines which challenges the implementation of evidenced-based aspiration management and rehabilitation. Several studies have evaluated variables that increase the risk of a negative medical consequence from aspiration. Despite the available evidence of the variables that impact response to aspiration, management and rehabilitation decisions are often guided by the presence or absence of aspiration instead of the variables known to impact the outcome of aspiration. Guided by the evidence from these landmark studies, a recent publication provided a framework for implementation of current evidence in the management of dysphagia for those who aspirate.
As aspiration occurs in all humans, and not all individuals have a significant negative reaction to the aspiration event(s), it is clear that there are physiologic mechanisms to protect individuals when these events occur. The goal of this Research Topic is to clarify current knowledge on responses to aspiration. Management and rehabilitation of aspiration requires a knowledge base across multiple disciplines. Breaking the discipline silos to foster enlightened management will enhance patient care and outcomes. The goal of this Research Topic is to attract contributions across various medical disciplines to address our current understanding of aspiration across the life span (e.g., how it is managed in healthy individuals and those with disease or poor health, and how does this differ across the lifespan), propose management approaches, and identify pathways to improve implementation of current evidence.
In our goal to clarify our understanding aspiration and busting myths that may still exist, the following topic areas will be considered for inclusion in this collection. We seek contributions of original research, reviews, and tutorials.
Nuts and Bolts of Aspiration: Not all Aspiration is the Same:
We seek submissions that address (a) physiologic response to aspiration, (b) potential consequences of aspiration (I.e., lung injury and impact on overall physiology as a function of the type and amount of aspiration), and (c) impact of age on response to aspiration (e.g., difference between pediatrics and adults).
Discipline Specific Approaches to Aspiration Management:
We seek to have this collection provide an interdisciplinary overview of aspiration management. We desire submissions from a variety of disciplines (e.g., SLP, GI, ENT, pulmonology, neurology). In each discipline, topic areas may vary. Interdisciplinary research is appreciated.
The following serves as a list of examples of areas of interest for this collection. We would like to advance knowledge in (a) assessment or management of aspiration, cough and laryngeal sensation across disciplines, (b) SLP or pulmonology treatment of sensation or cough strength, (c) ethics and end of life impact on aspiration management, (d) guidelines to drive clinical decisions / NPO recommendations in those who aspirate, (e) diet modification and the impact on aspiration (e.g., problems with thickening when aspiration still occurs), (f) impact of extra-esophageal reflux on lung health, and (g) impact of aspiration on developing lungs or impaired lungs.
Implementation Science
We seek articles on ways to support the application of evidence into the management of individuals who aspirate, particularly for those that have dysphagia.