Pneumonia

             

             


       Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection within one or both lungs. It can be caused by a number of germs, including bacteria, viruses, or, in rare cases, fungi or parasites.

Pneumonia is a common infection. It is more common in men than women and in smokers compared to non-smokers. It is also potentially serious and even life-threatening

Causes

·        Bacterial infection - which can develop following an upper respiratory track infection like a cold, sore throat or the flu. Bacteria is the cause of 50% of pneumonias, most commonly a streptococcus bacteria known as pneumococcus

·        Virus - this tends to happen more in the winter and can be serious in people with heart or lung disease

·        Chlamydia - more common in school children. This is a different bacteria than the one that causes the sexually transmitted disease

·        Mycoplasma – a tiny bacteria which tends to spread in child care centres and schools

·        Pneumocystis carinii – which occurs in people with suppressed immune infections, such as those who are undergoing chemotherapy, have had organ transplants, people with AIDS and those being treated with corticosteroids

·        Other causes of pneumonia include fungi, parasites, chemical or physical injury to the lungs, tuberculous, lung cancer, alcohol abuse.

·        SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a particularly contagious and dangerous type of pneumonia.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of this condition can vary from mild to severe. They include:

• A cough that produces green or yellow phlegm
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain when breathing or coughing
• A rapid heart rate and breathing rate
• Fever (temperature greater than 100.5ºF or 38ºC)
• Chills.

Symptoms may also include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Most cases of pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization. Typically, oral antibiotics, rest, fluids, and home care are sufficient for complete resolution. However, people with pneumonia who are having trouble breathing, people with other medical problems, and the elderly may need more advanced treatment. If the symptoms get worse, the pneumonia does not improve with home treatment, or complications occur, the person will often have to be hospitalized.

Bacterial pneumonia

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. In contrast, antibiotics are not useful for viral pneumonia, although they sometimes are used to treat or prevent bacterial infections that can occur in lungs damaged by a viral pneumonia. The antibiotic choice depends on the nature of the pneumonia, the most common microorganisms causing pneumonia in the local geographic area, and the immune status and underlying health of the individual. Treatment for pneumonia should ideally be based on the causative microorganism and its known antibiotic sensitivity. However, a specific cause for pneumonia is identified in only 50% of people, even after extensive evaluation. Because treatment should generally not be delayed in any person with a serious pneumonia, empiric treatment is usually started well before laboratory reports are available.

Antibiotics for hospital-acquired pneumonia include third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and vancomycin. These antibiotics are usually given intravenously. Multiple antibiotics may be administered in combination in an attempt to treat all of the possible causative microorganisms.

People who have difficulty breathing due to pneumonia may require extra oxygen. Extremely sick individuals may require intensive care, often including endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation.

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia caused by influenza A may be treated with rimantadine or amantadine, while viral pneumonia caused by influenza A or B may be treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir. These treatments are beneficial only if they are started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Many strains of H5N1 influenza A, also known as avian influenza or "bird flu," have shown resistance to rimantadine and amantadine. There are no known effective treatments for viral pneumonias caused by the SARS coronavirus, adenovirus, hantavirus, or parainfluenza virus.

Aspiration pneumonia

There is no evidence to support the use of antibiotics in chemical pneumonitis without bacterial infection. If infection is present in aspiration pneumonia, the choice of antibiotic will depend on several factors, including the suspected causative organism and whether pneumonia was acquired in the community or developed in a hospital setting. Common options include clindamycin, a combination of a beta-lactam antibiotic and metronidazole, or an aminoglycoside.

Corticosteroids are commonly used in aspiration pneumonia, but there is no evidence to support their use either. Viral pneumonia may last longer, and mycoplasmal pneumonia may take four to six weeks to resolve completely. In cases where the pneumonia progresses to blood poisoning (bacteremia), just over 20% of sufferers die.

Here are some natural remedies for pneumonia that you can follow at home to treat pneumonia effectively. These home remedies are simple, easy to prepare and easy to follow.

1. Fenugreek Seeds: Having an herbal with tea with black pepper and fenugreek seeds helps to treat pneumonia symptoms in early stages. You can take up to 4 cups of this herbal tea daily which can be gradually reduced as condition improves. A little honey or lemon juice can be added to improve the flavor. This home remedy is helpful in getting rid of fever that comes with pneumonia and also eliminates the sharp pains experienced by those suffering from pneumonia.

2. Beet Juice: The soothing and healing properties of beets help to ease the pain that comes with pneumonia. Beet Juice can help clear phlegm from the lungs that could be hindering proper breathing, making it one of the best home remedies for pneumonia treatment. You can add carrot or cucumber juice with beet juice and drink twice a day for better results.

3. Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds contains antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties making it one of the best home remedies for pneumonia treatment. A hot infusion of this herb can be prepared by steeping 15 gm of seeds in 250 ml water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of linseed, and a pinch of common salt in this mixture. Consume this mixture everyday. It will aid in removing phlegm from the bronchial tubes.

4. Ginger: You can consume 10 ml fresh ginger juice, or dried ginger powder 3 gm mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey twice or thrice a day for destroying bacterial infection in respiratory tract and lungs. Ginger may also help reduce fever associated with pneumonia.

5. Garlic: It is considered to be effective home remedy for pneumonia. Either fresh raw or lightly cooked garlic is most accessible for pneumonia cure. To get relief from chest pain and discomfort, take a teaspoonful of garlic juice. The curative properties found in garlic work in treating pneumonia by bringing down the high temperatures and speeding up the healing process.

6. Parsnip Juice: Parsnip juice has chlorine and phosphorus which help in clearing the bronchial system thereby getting rid of infection. A dosage of 250 ml per day is recommended. The leaves can also be steeped in water and placed onto the chest area as a way of getting rid of the pain that comes with pneumonia.

7. Carrot Juice: Carrot contains essential nutrients that aid in proper healing in cases of pneumonia. It works by getting rid of toxins thereby treating the underlying problem. The juice happens to be very strong and therefore should be mixed with other vegetable juices and taken with or after meals.

8. Turpentine Oil: This is also a great remedy for pneumonia. Massaging turpentine oil on the rib cage and keeping the area covered with warm cotton wool will help in reducing the pain of Pneumonia.

9. Dandelion: Dandelion contains anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties making it one of the best home remedies for pneumonia. It gets rid of the pain and inflammation that comes with pneumonia thereby offering a complete cure. Take the leaves of dandelion and add in boiling water to make a decoction. The roots of the plant can also be used in the water and then taken on a daily basis as treatment for the condition. The dried root of dandelion can be ground into powder and then a paste made and applied onto the chest to offer proper treatment from the condition.

10. Holy Basil: Holy basil contains essential minerals and compounds which are helpful to get relief from pneumonia. Take the juice of few fresh leaves of holy basil. Add a pinch of ground black pepper to this juice and consume at six hourly intervals.

Drink lots of water as it will help to flush toxins. Fluids are also important because they help prevent dehydration and help loosen mucus in your lungs

Avoid alcoholic drinks and carbonated drinks as well as cold drinks which are known to make the pneumonia symptoms worse.

Avoid foods that may not be well-digested. It may aggravate pneumonia symptoms.

The patient should be kept in a clean, hot and healthy room. Make sure that sunshine enters in the patient room.

Try to keep the chest and the feet of the patient warmer than the other parts of the body.

Get plenty of rest, even if you don’t really feel like it.