What Is a Silent Aspiration

Silent aspiration usually has no symptoms, and people aren’t aware that fluids or stomach contents have entered their lungs. Overt aspiration will usually cause sudden, noticeable symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or a hoarse voice. Silent aspiration tends to occur in people with impaired senses.

What can cause silent aspiration?

• Stroke.
• Severe dental problems.
• Conditions that lead to less saliva such as Sjögren syndrome.
• Mouth sores.
• Parkinson or other nervous system conditions.
• Muscular dystrophies.
• Blockage in the esophagus such as a growth from cancer.
• Acid reflux.

Who is at risk for silent aspiration?

Median age at which patients demonstrated silent aspiration was 1.1 years. Silent aspiration was documented in 41% of patients with laryngeal cleft, 41% of patients with laryngomalacia, and 54% of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis.