I have pneumonitis from aspiration with food and water. i was prescribed prednisone. they said its anti inflammatory for reducing inflammation. how do the food particles get removed? do the particles get absorbed in the tissue?

The lung has defense mechanisms to remove particles. Avoid smoke exposure and continue the medication as prescribed. Monitor BP while on the medication. Watch for signs of breathing difficulty.

The food particles, if present, will be naturally cleared by our body, mixed in the phlegm and expectorated. By the way with only prednisone, you are treated for a reactive bronchitis, less likely aspiration pneumonia.

Aspiration of food and water causing pneumonitis, means that besides seeing the Lung Specialist, one should also see the Gastroenterologist for evaluation.

This type of pneumonia is treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. Coughing,chest physiotherapy and your body treating the tiny food particles as foreign bodies for removal are all helpful in treating this pneumonia. Mucus will be formed and good chest physiotherapy prevents plugging in the airways. Bronchoscopic removal is sometimes needed,though.