Pneumonia is a respiratory disease. It is basically a chronic respiratory condition where the patient breathes germs into the lungs and finds it difficult breathe because of obstructions in respiratory passage.
This is an acute infection caused in one or both the lungs which is caused by a bacterium named Streptococcus pneumonia. Pneumonia is a pathological consequence caused by the abnormal entry of fluids, particulate matter, or secretions in the lower airways.
Types of Pneumonia:
There are many types of pneumonia, the names of which are listed below:
- Atypical Pneumonia
- Pneumocystis
- Bronchial
- Lipsoid
- Aspiration
- Nosocomial Hospital Acquired
- Klebsiella
- Viral
- Community-Acquired
- Bacterial
- Fungal
- Atypical , and
- Walking Pneumonia.
What are the Causes of Pneumonia?
There can be several reasons behind the cause of this respiratory disorder which varies from the places where the patient has contracted it; however viruses and bacteria are the primary causes of pneumonia.
The cause of the disease is important to know because the background of the illness helps to determine the patient’s successful recover ability rate to a great extent.
When a person accidentally breathes in the germ into the lungs, these germs inhabit in small air sacs of the lungs known as alveoli and continue to multiply. And as the immune system of the body tries to send white blood cells to fight the infection it is then instead of warding off the infection the sacs become filed with fluid and pus resulting in pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of Pneumonia?
The Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, fungi, and as well as viruses. There are several symptoms that help to indicate this disease; however the symptoms differ by the way they are caused.
The symptoms of the pneumonia caused by bacteria are:
- Feeling extremely exhausted or feeling very weak.
- Cough which spits up mucus (sputum) from your lungs which can be rusty or green or tinged with blood.
- Then it is accompanied by Chest pain which keeps getting worse when you cough or breathe in.
- Diarrhea.
- There might be some shaking accompanied by “teeth-chattering” chills.
- Fever.
- Faster heartbeat, breathing and feeling short of breath
- Nausea and vomiting.
DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMONIA:
Diagnosis of pneumonia is usually done on the basis of symptoms and physical examinations. But it gets difficult to detect it sometimes, especially in those patients who are already suffering from some other diseases. There are several methods with the help of which pneumonia is diagnosed. The names of the few are listed below:
- body temperature readings
- blood tests
- lung tests
- white blood cell counts
- family and patient histories
- Bronchoscopies,
- Thoracentesis Tests for fluid analysis
- chest and lung x-rays
- heart and respiratory rates
- viral cultures
- CAT scans
- sputum samples
- MRIs
What are the treatments of Pneumonia?
There are many treatment procedures for pneumonia that are available which differs in accordance with the severity of the disease. There are even many vaccinations available to prevent this disease now. The vaccinations include:
1: the Pneumococcal Vaccine against Streptococcus Pneumoniae
2: Haemophilus Influenza Type B Vaccine
3: the flu vaccine, and
4: The DTP Injections for Whooping Cough.
The treatment processes includes:
1: antibiotics,
2: liquid absorption
3: vaporizers,
4: bed rest
5: medications, such as penicillin, for pain and fever control
6: airway suction, and
7: humidifiers.
What are the Risk Involved in Pneumonia?
There is certain hazardous health risks associated with the development of this health ailment like:
1: kidney diseases,
2: heart diseases,
3: COPD
4: asthma
5: emphysema and
6: Diabetes.
And these risks are more prevalent in hospitalized patients, very young children or old people, patients with weakened immune systems or chronic medical conditions etc.
