Everything About Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a potentially deadly problem that affects the lungs.  If not detected early enough or properly treated, pneumonia can become a life threatening problem especially for the weak and elderly. The alveolar are air filled sacs within the lungs whose job is to absorb oxygen, however, when pneumonia strikes, the alveolar become filled with fluid which inflames the lungs. The fluid buildup in the lungs can be caused by a viral, fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection. It can also come about from physical injury to the lungs such as chemical exposure or inhaling poisons. The symptoms of pneumonia include coughing, wheezing, fever, chest pain, and trouble breathing.

Types of pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia: This type is cause by bacteria. Often called walking pneumonia, this is a mild variety of the ailment and usually will not involve a hospital stay. The most common symptom of atypical pneumonia is a dry cough.

Aspiration Pneumonia: This type is caused by bacteria which are present in the oral cavity penetrating the lungs and causing pneumonia. Most bacteria found in the oral cavity are harmless, however, a weakening of the gag reflex could allow them to penetrate the lungs.

Opportunistic pneumonia: this type of pneumonia takes advantage of people who have weakened immune systems. As long as your immune system is in good working order, you do not need to worry about contracting this type of pneumonia.

Regional and occupational Pneumonia: this one is caused by exposure to certain conditions such as chemicals or cattle.

Classifications of pneumonia:

Community acquired pneumonia: People who get pneumonia from friends or family fall into this category. This is the most common form of pneumonia and the sixth most common way to die in the United States.

Hospital acquired pneumonia: People who catch pneumonia during a hospital stay fall in this category.

Diagnosis:

X-rays, MRIs and testing the mucus or phlegm in the throat are the most common ways that doctors diagnose the disease. A doctor can also take a blood test to see if there is a high white blood cells count indicating infection within the body.

Treatment:

If it is caused by bacteria, pneumonia may be easily treated with antibiotics.  Plenty of Rest and fluids also help rid the body of the disease. Most cases of pneumonia can be treated at home, but more severe cases may need to stay in the hospital.  Even with treatment, pneumonia can be deadly, especially for the elderly and the chronically or terminally ill.

Other Symptoms and complications:

Other symptoms that may come with pneumonia are vomiting, nausea, joint pain, muscle pain, chills and a blue tinge to the skin. Along with these other symptoms, pneumonia can lead to other complications such as respiratory failure, circulatory failure and abscesses. For those who suffer from respiratory failure due to the lungs filling with fluid and becoming stiff and failing to operate on their own, breathing assistance in the form of a ventilator and breathing tube may be needed.

Sepsis (toxins in the blood) might also set in during a bout with pneumonia is if the condition is not cleared up in the usually two to four weeks. This poisoning of the blood can lead to liver failure, heart failure, and kidney failure. One in five patients who get blood poisoning because of pneumonia eventually end up dying because of it. One in twenty people who end up getting normal pneumonia also end up dying from complications by it.

Recovery from pneumonia depends upon how sick a person is when they are first diagnosed. If caught early, a person can be free of pneumonia’s grip in two weeks. However, up to four weeks may be needed if it is discovered in its later stages.