Respiratory tract diseases have always been and remain the most common. Aspiratory pneumonia or pneumonia is a diagnosis that every person has encountered at least once in their life. The disease includes three different syndromes, which determine the tactics of treatment. Timely and correct diagnosis will save you from many complications. Therefore, you should not take the time to visit the doctor.
Insidious disease
Pneumonia (pneumonia) is an acute infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract, in particular the lungs.
There are several forms of this disease, due to the huge number of microbes that cause. Each person handles illness differently. For some, it is no more difficult than bronchitis or SARS, for others it can be fatal. A favorable prognosis is possible with timely access to a specialist.
At risk are children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. "Loves"pneumonia of heavy smokers and alcoholics.
The best prevention of disease is a he althy lifestyle and strengthening of immunity.
Types of pneumonia
The diagnosis of "pneumonia" has been heard quite often lately. Depending on the nature of the course of the disease, several of its forms are distinguished:
- Croupous pneumonia. The causative agent is pneumococcus. The causes of infection are reduced immunity, hypothermia, infectious diseases. Most often, the disease affects people in the winter season. Especially common in countries with cold climates. It mainly affects children of preschool and school age. Symptoms - high temperature (under forty), dry lips, herpes on the nose and lips, blush on the cheeks, weakness and malaise, headache, painful cough, chest pain.
- Asymptomatic or pneumonia without cough. It is characterized by general weakness, which lasts more than two weeks. Difficulty breathing, chest pain, increased sweating and fever are also observed.
- Localized. Most often occurs in babies under one year old. Symptoms - dry cough, which eventually develops into a wet one. There is shortness of breath (especially during crying). The course of the disease can be very severe.
- Toxic pneumonia. Occurs as a result of exposure to toxic substances. It has dire consequences. The disease affects the circulatory system, brain, digestive tract. Symptoms - fever up to 39 degrees, weakness, headache, sputum with blood, wheezing in the lungs.
- Atypical and viral pneumonia. They have similar symptoms. The causative agents can be microbes of respiratory infections, as well as mycoplasmas, chlamydia, legionella. The symptoms of the disease resemble mumps or measles. Breathing is difficult, cough is dry. These two forms are the only ones that are transmitted by airborne droplets. Other types of pneumonia are not transmitted by contact.
- Aspiration pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs resulting from the ingestion of chemicals, foreign bodies, bacteria, vomit, etc. This form of the disease is a common occurrence in newborn children who, while passing through the birth canal of the mother, "swallow" amniotic fluid with a pathogen (in this case, bacteria that cause STDs act as such).
- Staphylococcal pneumonia. The causative agent is staphylococcus, which, when it enters the lungs, gives rise to the most complex infections of the organ. Symptoms - chest pain, shortness of breath, general intoxication.
Main symptoms of pneumonia
When a person is diagnosed with pneumonia, the symptoms and treatment of the disease depends entirely on its form. So, the main task of the patient is to go to the doctor in a timely manner and determine the exact diagnosis.
Signs of the disease may be different, but the following symptoms require special attention:
- fever, not necessarily 39 or 40;
- headache, weakness, fatigue;
- dry cough (first three to four days) followed by wet cough;
- shortness of breath, chest pain;
- loss of appetite;
- blue skin.
These symptoms are most often signs of pneumonia. However, the sameTuberculosis also has manifestations. Urgent diagnostics in this case is simply necessary.
Sometimes pneumonia can develop without coughing. Latent forms of the disease are the most severe, as they are detected quite late. They are more common in people with weakened immune systems. The main symptoms are weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing.
Pneumonia can spread to one or both lobes of the lungs. Accordingly, we will talk about unilateral or bilateral pneumonia.
The degree of severity is distinguished:
- Mild pneumonia - possible home treatment, favorable prognosis, no pathologies.
- Medium - requires hospitalization, possible complications.
- Severe - immediate hospitalization. Recovery is long, complications are present in most cases.
Inflammation of the lungs: complications
Pneumonia is a disease that requires immediate intervention from specialists. Self-medication is excluded. Often, even when providing assistance, complications of pneumonia occur, the most common of which are:
- obstructive syndrome;
- breathing disorder due to obstruction of the respiratory tract, as a result, the whole body suffers from a lack of oxygen (hypoxia), metabolism and normal functioning of organs are disturbed;
- exudative pleurisy - accumulation of fluid in the pleural membranes of the lungs;
- lung gangrene is a purulent process in the organ, which is accompanied by tissue necrosis (death);
- abscess –the formation of capsules with pus in the lungs as a result of the melting of the lung tissue.
As a result of pneumonia, heart failure, endocarditis, myocarditis, meningitis, sepsis can develop. Some complications of pneumonia are fatal. Infants and preschoolers are at risk.
The slightest suspicion of pneumonia is the main reason for going to the hospital.
Diagnosis and treatment
For any disease to be effective, it must be properly diagnosed. The following types of tests will “tell” that the disease that affected the lungs is pneumonia:
- Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, talking to the patient about complaints.
- Finger tapping of the lungs (percussion), which is necessary to detect lesions.
- X-ray. One of the important and basic methods for examining the lungs. Thanks to him, doctors have a complete picture of the disease.
- General blood and urine tests.
- Sputum tests.
- Bronchoscopy. Prescribed for severe cases of illness. The procedure is the introduction of a special device with a camera into the lungs (through the nasopharynx) and an assessment of the condition from the inside.
Symptoms of pneumonia can be similar to bronchitis, pleurisy, tuberculosis. Therefore, correct and accurate diagnosis is a “successful investment” in recovery.
As mentioned, pneumonia symptoms and treatment can be different. Everything will be decided by the form of the disease. But in anycase will be assigned:
- Broad or narrow spectrum antibiotics.
- Expectorants.
- Immunostimulants, vitamins.
- Bed rest, drinking plenty of water, diet.
- Phytotherapy, physical procedures. But only after the temperature returns to normal.
- Oxygen therapy, in particular oxygen cocktails, has a good effect.
Treatment with folk remedies
Inflammation of the lungs is a serious disease that can only be cured with antibiotics. Therapy must be prescribed by a specialist doctor. However, when pneumonia is diagnosed, alternative treatments can be just as effective.
When you are sick, it is important to include foods such as garlic, onions and honey in your diet. These are the best remedies for many viral and inflammatory processes in the body.
Also useful:
- Aloe syrup. You need to grind the leaves of the flower to make one glass. Add one and a half cups of honey and pour all 0.5 liters of good Cahors. Leave the mixture for two weeks, then strain and squeeze. Take one tablespoon thrice daily.
- Insist on a steam bath for fifteen minutes the flowers of calendula, chamomile and St. John's wort (in equal parts - one tablespoon each). Take two glasses of water. Take 2-3 tablespoons four to five times a day.
- Two tablespoons of oats pour a glass of milk and bring to a boil. Add honey and half a teaspoon of butter. Drink the infusion before bedtime.
- Good decoctions with coltsfoot, violet, sage.
- You canmake honey compresses, draw iodine nets, rub your back and chest with badger or goat fat. But only when there is no temperature.
Aspiration pneumonia
Illness occurs when harmful microbes enter the lungs from the upper respiratory tract or stomach. These microorganisms cause severe infectious processes in the body.
The main symptoms indicating the development of the disease:
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Cough often after eating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Bad general feeling, fever.
- Bad breath.
Most often people are at risk:
- Alcohol addict (unconscious, deep, uncontrolled sleep contributes to microaspiration).
- Those with dental problems.
- Those under anesthesia.
- Aspiration pneumonia occurs in newborns. When the baby passes the birth canal of the mother, he swallows amniotic fluid. If a woman had untreated infections, this contributes to the infection of the child's lungs with harmful bacteria (chlamydia, trichomonas, mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, and others).
- Suffer from the disease and those who have problems with the digestive system, heartburn.
- People with chronic lung disease.
A final diagnosis can only be made after a thorough examination: x-rays, bronchoscopy, blood tests, sputum examinations.
Likeother forms of the disease, aspiration pneumonia requires the use of antibacterial agents. Hospitalization is indicated, depending on the condition of the patient and the course of the disease.
Ignoring symptoms and therapy can cause complications such as abscess, gangrene, suffocation. Fatal outcomes are also likely.
Prevention of respiratory diseases
Pneumonia prevention is an event that should become mandatory in every family, especially in the winter season.
So:
- People who work in large teams should wear a respiratory mask during the season of colds and epidemics.
- Even before the height of the disease, it is advisable to vaccinate. Vaccination can protect against disease or at least alleviate the form of the disease.
- Keep a he althy and proper lifestyle. Pay special attention to your diet. You also need to give up bad habits.
- Excellent prevention of the protective functions of the lungs - breathing exercises. It promotes self-purification of the body.
- You should never bring any disease to a chronic form. Complications are sometimes unpredictable.
- Using phyto and aromatherapy in everyday life.
- Stressful situations and hypothermia should be avoided.
- When working with hazardous substances, personal protective equipment should always be used.
- Having diseases such as SARS, influenza, you do not need to self-medicate. These infections can also cause pneumonia.
Prevention of pneumonia is a budget-friendly way to prevent serious illnesses and strengthen your immune system.
Pneumonia during pregnancy
Like any disease, pneumonia during pregnancy is an extremely undesirable phenomenon. The disease can have a negative impact not only on the mother's body, but also have a detrimental effect on the unborn baby.
Severe pneumonia is an indication for abortion. Intoxication of the body sometimes leads to complex malformations in the development of the fetus, can cause intrauterine death.
Main symptoms of pneumonia during pregnancy:
- chest pain, prolonged dry cough;
- weakness, fatigue;
- excessive sweating, fever, fever, chills;
- weight loss, lack of appetite.
When you detect the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately contact your local doctor. Treatment in any case is carried out with the help of antibacterial drugs. Medicines are selected individually according to the duration of pregnancy. Be sure to prescribe immunostimulating agents and vitamins.
It is contraindicated to get pneumonia in the first trimester of pregnancy. In most cases, such a pregnancy ends in an abortion. Therefore, expectant mothers need to take care of themselves and carry out timely prevention of the disease.
Conclusion
One of the most dangerous diseases affecting the human respiratory tract is pneumonia. The treatment of the disease shouldcarried out immediately with the discovery of the first symptoms. In many cases, hospitalization of the patient and treatment with antibiotics is indicated.
The best prevention of illness is a he althy lifestyle and strengthening immunity.
