Diseases of the respiratory tract can cause many inconveniences and problems. In addition, they can be life-threatening. For example, interstitial pneumonia is not very common, but if not properly treated, it can cause serious complications, up to a lung abscess and death. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should definitely consult a doctor.
What is a disease
Interstitial pneumonia is characterized by the fact that it is a complication of such a pathology as influenza. This inflammation occurs in the connective tissue of the lungs. Naturally, pathology is fraught with many dangers. Destructive processes that begin in tissues are very dangerous if the disease is not treated or therapy is started very late.
It should be noted that this disease occurs under the influence of certain viruses. Its development is not fleeting. You will have to be treated for this disease in a hospital, and for a long time. Diffuse lung function in this case is seriously impaired, the walls of the alveoli thicken. The course of the pathology is quite severe andrequires mandatory hospitalization.
Causes of pathology
There are many factors that can lead to pneumonia. Among them are the following:
- Bacterial or viral infection (although not contagious).
- Hypothermia.
- Weak immune system, general fatigue.
- Any past respiratory illnesses from which the body has not had time to fully recover.
- Wrong diet.
- Smoking.
- Insufficient physical activity, which contributes to the stagnation of sputum in the lungs and bronchi.
Signs and symptoms of disease
Now let's see how interstitial pneumonia manifests itself. So, this disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
1. Temperature rise. Moreover, it may not be too strong (up to 37.5 degrees), but it keeps stable and for a long time.
2. Difficulty breathing.
3. General weakness and malaise.
4. High sweating.
5. Significant weight loss.
6. Mild cough and shortness of breath.
7. Pale skin.
This pathology may be accompanied by other minor symptoms. Naturally, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after examining and examining the patient.
Stages of disease progression
Interstitial pneumonia may not make itself felt for a long time, inwhich is the greatest danger. There are several stages in the development of pneumonia:
1. First. It usually lasts only a day and is characterized by thickening of the lungs and filling of the alveoli with exudate.
2. Second. Lungs thicken even more, turn red.
3. Third. Fibrin accumulates in the exudate, and red blood cells begin to break down. The lungs change color to grey-brown.
4. Fourth. Fibrous exudate begins to dissolve, and the walls of the alveoli are restored.
These stages of pneumonia are characteristic of almost all types of pathology. The only difference is the duration of each stage and the severity of changes in the lungs.
How to correctly diagnose
It should be noted that you cannot do this yourself. Since the examination is based on the delivery of certain tests and the use of hardware equipment. For example, if you are suspected of having pneumonia, an x-ray will help determine the extent and extent of lung damage. Without this study, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, x-rays help to see other respiratory diseases that can be more dangerous and have similar symptoms (tuberculosis).
There are also such tests for pneumonia: a general and biochemical blood test. It makes it possible to establish or exclude the presence of a bacterial (viral) infection in the body, which can cause the development of the disease. That is, this study helpsdetermine the treatment.
Required are also such tests for pneumonia as sputum culture. Thanks to this study, the doctor will be able to determine the amount of exudate in the alveoli, as well as obtain additional information about the type of pathology and the stage of its development.
What complications are possible
It must be said that severe pneumonia can be fraught with serious consequences. For example, local complications are characterized by such pathologies as: pleural empyema (inflammation of the pleural sheets, which is accompanied by the formation of pus), atelectasis (falling of all or part of the lung), and abscess (inflammation of the tissue with the formation of necrotic cavities).
Pneumonia (X-ray is mandatory) can contribute to the development of other pathologies: endocarditis, purulent arthritis, meningitis, nephritis, peritonitis, thrombophlebitis, brain abscess, toxic shock. That is, pneumonia can adversely affect all body systems.
Polysegmental and aspiration pneumonia: characteristics of pathology
There are other types of diseases that are no less severe and require inpatient treatment. For example, polysegmental pneumonia, which is characterized by the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli of all segments of the body. That is, the patient may have several foci of inflammation. A distinctive feature of the pathology is the rapid progression. Therefore, therapy should begin immediately. Polysegmental pneumonia requires complex treatment, which can last several weeks. If not treated, the person may die from lung failure or other complications.
Aspiration pneumonia is a special type of inflammation that is caused not by bacteria or a virus, but by small elements of food or digestive juice that enters the bronchi from the oral cavity. This can happen if a person chokes. The most common treatment is bronchoscopy. In addition, seriously ill patients can be connected to a lung ventilator. Aspiration pneumonia has a positive prognosis. However, if the disease is neglected, then the chances of a full recovery are reduced.
Traditional Therapy
So, you already know that therapy should be complex. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate those diseases that accompany inflammation, as well as eliminate the cause of the development of pathology: a virus, an infection. It is imperative to remove the process of inflammation in the lungs. Most often, quite strong antibiotics from a number of penicillins are used for this purpose. For example, Amoxicillin, Cefotaxime.
To eliminate exudate from bronchioles and alveoli, antitussive drugs are prescribed: Lazolvan, Bromhexine, ACC. In addition, bronchodilator medications may be needed: Berodual. Naturally, the patient will also have to take anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as multivitamins to support the body and restore it.
Very importantis proper nutrition during treatment. It should contain all the necessary micro and macro elements that will strengthen the immune system and speed up recovery. However, food should not be heavy. Naturally, it is necessary to support other body systems, especially the cardiovascular system, which is the first to suffer complications.
In severe cases, surgery and bronchoscopy are used. At the same time, the doctor decides whether to remove the affected and destroyed parts of the lung or to restore them.
Other ways to fight the disease
Interstitial pneumonia, which should be treated immediately after the first symptoms are detected, can be eliminated with the help of physiotherapy and alternative methods. Naturally, this must be agreed with the doctor, as these methods can be complementary.
Among physiotherapy methods, the most effective are:
- Electrophoresis.
- Water and thermal treatments.
- Massage.
- Therapeutic exercise and shower.
As for folk recipes, the following will be useful:
1. Steam one large spoonful of coltsfoot with a glass of boiling water and insist. After that, the mixture is filtered and taken up to 6-8 times a day for a tablespoon. Such a remedy provides a good expectoration of sputum.
2. Viburnum berries must be insisted for 7 hours on hot honey. This remedy has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Mix two tablespoons of birch buds with 70 g of butter. Next remedymust be melted over low heat, while it is not recommended to boil it. After an hour, remove the mixture from the heat, cool slightly, squeeze and strain. In the resulting product, add about 200 g of honey and stir. Take the medicine should be 4 times a day for a tablespoon.
Disease prevention
Prevention of pathology is much better than its subsequent treatment. Therefore, it is better to take such preventive measures:
- First of all, try to quit smoking.
- Get vaccinated against respiratory diseases every year.
- Strengthen your immunity with multivitamin complexes, as well as proper nutrition.
- Temper your body, lead an active lifestyle.
- Go swimming, running, walking and other sports.
- Try to treat emerging infectious respiratory diseases in a timely manner.
- Follow standard hygiene practices: wash your hands, stay out of public places during flu season.
- In the case of home treatment of pathology, the patient must necessarily observe bed rest.
That's all the features of the course, treatment and prevention of pneumonia. Stay he althy!
