How To Understand and Treat Pneumonia

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is the inflammation of one or both lungs caused most commonly by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The alveoli within the lungs are filled with fluid, preventing oxygen from passing into the bloodstream properly. Pneumonia is a very common illness that does not target any specific age group, however its level of danger increases with age.

The following is a list of the various types of Pneumonia:

Bacterial Pneumonia
Viral Pneumonia
Fungal Pneumonia
Parasitic Pneumonia
Atypical Pneumonia
Community-acquired Pneumonia
Healthcare-associated Pneumonia
Ventilator-associated Pneumonia
Severe actue respiratory syndrome
Aspiration Pneumonia
Lipid Pneumonia
Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia
Chemical Pneumonia

How To Prevent Pneumonia

There are several different vaccines and other actions that can be taken by an individual to prevent Pneumonia. The methods listed below are more geared towards individuals already prone to catching Pneumonia:

Smoking cessation
Vaccination - May be repeated every year if the risk of catching Pneumonia is deemed high
Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pneumoniae

Signs And Symptoms Of Pneumonia

Symptoms of Pneumonia may vary depending on the specific type that the individual has, but many of the symptoms are universal. Below is a list of the symptoms most commonly associated with Pneumonia:

Coughing up green/yellow phlegm
Coughing up blood
High fever
Shaking chills
Shortness of breath
Pleuritic chest pain
Headaches
Sweaty/Clamy skin
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Cyanosis
Nausea
Vomiting
Mood swings
Joint pains
Muscle aches
Loss of balance

How Pneumonia Is Diagnosed

If an individual has any combination of the symptoms listed above, it is advised that they seek out medical advice immediately. Pneumonia can be fatal in the elderly, and as such should be responded to in a timely fashion. The physician may utilize a chest x-ray, blood tests, and phlegm samples to determine whether or not the condition is Pneumonia. More often than not, a physical examination and a listing of the symptoms is enough to diagnose Pneumonia.

Treatments For Pneumonia

Again, depending on the type of Pneumonia and the age of the individual diagnosed with it, treatments may vary. Not all treatments require the hospitalization of the individual, many are much easier to manage. If left untreated, Pneumonia may progress into blood poisoning, increasing its mortality rate to 1 out of 5. Below is a list of the most common treatments for Pneumonia:

Home Treatments