Pneumonia is a potentially fatal infection which causes inflammation (redness and swelling) in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Among the most vital organs, lungs and air pump from the body so that blood can be exchanged for carbon dioxide to oxygen, it circulates throughout the body. When you inhale air through the trachea (windpipe) and then into two branches, called bronchi in the lungs. In turn, the bronchi subdivide nearly 20 times in all smaller fragments create many bronchioles (smaller airways). Each of these airways ending in a cluster of tiny air sacs called alveoli. This creates a huge amount of surface where blood can collect oxygen in a small space in the chest cavity. When some foreign materials, bacteria, fungi or viruses get into the body through the lungs and penetrate the lung's natural defenses, pneumonia can develop. What is usually called the pneumonia is actually more than 50 variations of conditions ranging from mild (such as "walking pneumonia") to life-threatening. This may affect only one lung or both lungs (sometimes called double pneumonia). Pneumonia can occur independently of each other, after some diseases (such as colds or flu) or along with other diseases. More than 60,000 Americans annually die from pneumonia. It can affect people of any age, but it has the greatest risk for the elderly, infants and young children and people with chronic diseases. Despite the early start of treatment is the best way to recover fully and quickly, difficult to diagnose pneumonia. Sometimes it seems like a simple cold or the flu and its symptoms can vary depending on what causes pneumonia. Symptoms include:
unexplained fever, especially one of the 102 `F or higher within a few days in a row
suddenly feel worse after a cold or ANY who have these symptoms do not hesitate to seek medical advice. People should be especially associated symptoms include the elderly and people undergoing chemotherapy, the immune system takes drugs that suppress the immune system (eg, prednisone), suffer from alcoholism, injury, or a limited sleep heart disease or other conditions that affect the ability to breathe. Pneumonia can be fatal within 24 hours under certain conditions. I am looking for early treatment is important to state does not become life threatening. Some complications that may occur in pneumonia are:
lungs may swell because the disease can fill the air space inside the lungs, making breathing difficult fluid >> << can collect between the lining (pleura) lining the lungs and inside the chest. When the fluid is going in it is called pleurisy. This fluid can become infected (a condition known as empyema) and may have drained through a tube inserted between the ribs. Some organisms that cause pneumonia, usually in the air. Natural light protection usually protect against infection with these organisms, but sometimes they break through these defenses. Pneumonia can be caused by: bacteria.
The most common cause of pneumonia is a bacterial infection, and different bacteria can cause the condition, producing mild to severe cases. Bacterial pneumonia can occur alone or after illnesses such as colds, flu or upper respiratory tract infection. Fungi. Some fungi can cause pneumonia. When the fungus is inhaled some people develop symptoms of acute pneumonia, the other a form that lasts for several months, although most people have few if any symptoms. Pnevmotsistnoy, yeast fungi that are known as opportunistic infections, because it usually affects people with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS or exposed to chemotherapy. Viruses. Several different viruses can cause pneumonia, including some of the same viruses that cause influenza. This type of pneumonia usually falls in autumn and winter and more serious people with heart disease and lung. People who have viral pneumonia can develop bacterial pneumonia. Other microorganisms. In rare cases, other living organisms may be responsible for pneumonia. These organisms include amoeba and mycoplasma (which have characteristics of both bacteria and viruses). Other foreign materials. Pneumonia can occur when food, mucus, vomit, chemical or other substances enter the lungs. Called aspiration pneumonia, a condition may develop from accidentally inhaling substances in the capture, unconsciousness or stroke. Alcohol abuse (alcohol interferes with the action of white blood cells that fight infection).
Drug abuse (injection drug use may put you at greater risk of developing infections that can affect your lungs).
In a weakened immune system due to chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, or
disease in some diseases such as HIV / AIDS,
P emphysema or live in areas where the influence of type of fungus over ( example is valley fever, which is widely distributed throughout Southern California and the desert southwest. This fungus does not affect everyone who is exposed to, but few develop severe pneumonia).
To diagnose pneumonia, doctors usually begins with a medical history and physical examination. Often in history may indicate a risk of developing pneumonia. On examination, the doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to crazy bubble, crack or rumbling sounds that might indicate a dense fluid in the lungs or inflammation (swelling) of infection. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to check the number of leukocytes in the blood and detect viruses, bacteria and other organisms. Sputum sample can be tested to determine the cause of pneumonia. The doctor may also recommend chest X-ray to confirm diagnosis and note the location and spread of infection. If X does not support pneumonia, more complex images may be necessary, for example, >> << As the pneumonia has different causes and different degrees of severity, treatment will vary depending on the type of pneumonia in humans. Assigned treatment may include: Antibiotics.
Usually given for bacterial infections, antibiotics can be prescribed for other types of pneumonia. Antibiotics should be taken for the full term prescribed to prevent infection from returning and to reduce the formation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bed rest. Stress and fatigue can weaken the immune system, which would relapse. Liquids. How much fluid, especially water, helps prevent dehydration and to destroy the mucus in the lungs. Over the counter drugs. These drugs can be recommended for pain relief, pain, cough and fever. Oxygen. In severe cases involving difficulty breathing, oxygen may be introduced within a few days. About four to six weeks after treatment of pneumonia, the doctor will probably schedule the next visit. Since light can still be infected, the doctor will monitor the progress the patient to prevent recurrence or complications. Patients who do not feel better by the strattera side effects time you may need more tests to find out why. Pneumonia usually is not something that a person "catches" from other people. People with pneumonia, but may want to stay away from those with weakened immune systems. People can develop pneumonia, caused by weakened resistance. The following steps may be useful in preventing pneumonia, especially those at greater risk of this: >> << Do not smoke. Smoking damages the lung's ability to protect against infections. Get enough rest and moderate exercise, and eat die rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These measures increase the strength and protection from serious diseases and infections. Vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia at least once after the age of 65. People with chronic lung and heart disease, diabetes or sickle cell anemia and those with spleen removed, or chemotherapy, which lowered immune system can discuss pneumonia vaccination with your doctor. Prevnar ^ pneumonia vaccine can help protect children under two years, or those who are older and have a special risk of getting pneumonia. Get vaccinated against influenza every year, because pneumonia may be a complication of influenza. Regularly wash your hands come in contact with every day many microbes, including those that cause pneumonia. Hand washing also helps reduce the chance of colds and flu. Mark S. Taper Foundation Imaging Center.
