Pneumonia in Focus: Causes, Warning
Signs & Healing Tips from Home"
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can range from mild to so serious that you have to go to the hospital. It happens when an infection causes air sacs in your lungs (the alveoli) and tubes in your airways that connect to them (bronchioles) to fill with fluid or pus. That can make it hard for you to breathe in enough oxygen.
Anyone can get this lung infection. But children younger than 2 and adults 50 years old and up are at higher risk. That’s because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it. Lifestyle habits, like smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol, can also raise your chances of getting pneumonia.
You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. Pneumonia in both lungs is sometimes called bilateral pneumonia or double pneumonia. You can also have pneumonia and not know it. This is sometimes called walking pneumonia.
Causes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If your pneumonia results from bacteria or a virus, you can spread it to someone else.
Types of Pneumonia
Pneumonia can be grouped into types based on what caused it. Many things can lead to pneumonia, but some of the most common are:
Bacterial pneumonia
More people get this type of pneumonia than any other. While several types of bacteria can cause it, the most common in the U.S. is streptococcus. People sometimes get bacterial pneumonia after a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
Viral pneumonia
Viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, cause about a third of all cases of pneumonia. They're the most common cause of the condition in children under 5. This type of infection isn't usually as serious as bacterial pneumonia, but it can be. Viral pneumonia raises your risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia.
Fungal pneumonia
Fungi found in dirt or bird poop can also cause a pneumonia infection. This type is more likely to affect people with weaker immune systems, such as those who have long-lasting health problems.
Walking pneumonia
This is a nickname for a less serious type that's officially called mycoplasma pneumonia. It's named for the bacteria that causes it. Young adults and older children most often get this type, which often doesn't require bed rest.
Symptoms of pneumonia in babies
Babies with pneumonia may not show any symptoms. But they could seem tired or restless. They might also have a cough, fever, vomiting, or trouble breathing. It also may be hard for them to eat.
Is pneumonia contagious?
Bacterial and viral types of pneumonia are contagious. The germs that cause them may spread through the air when someone who is infected talks, coughs, or sneezes. You might also get pneumonia after touching a surface that has the germs on it, then touching your mouth or nose.
Pneumonia Complications
Pneumonia can have several complications, including:
• Bacteremia, in which bacteria spread into your blood. This can cause septic shock and organ failure.
• Respiratory failure, which might mean you need to use a breathing machine while your lungs heal
• Pleural effusion, which is fluid buildup between the layers of tissue that line your lungs and chest cavity. This fluid can also become infected.
• A lung abscess, when a pocket of pus forms inside or around your lung
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious type of respiratory failure
• Kidney failure
• For those with heart disease, worsening heart failure or a higher risk of a heart attack
Treatment
Your treatment will depend on what caused your pneumonia, how serious it is, and your overall health. Most people are able to recover at home with rest and medication.
However, certain home remedies may help ease the symptoms and enhance healing during the recovery period.
Pneumonia is an inflammatory disorder of the lungs due to an infection of the airways. It can be life threatening. Medical help is essential, and many people will need to spend time in the hospital. Afterward, it can take several weeks or months to recover.
Although medical treatment is essential, home remedies can help a person manage the symptoms and improve their comfort levels when they are not in the hospital.
Factors that increase the risk of pneumonia include:
• being under 2 or over 65 years of age being a smoker, having exposure to air pollution
• having asthma
• having a weakened immune system
• having other medical conditions, including COVID-19
In this article, learn more about the causes, symptoms, and home remedies associated with pneumonia and its effects.
Causes and symptoms:
Pneumonia can occur for various reasons. For example, it often develops due to another illness or infection, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the flu, or COVID-19.
When a person’s immune system is healthy, their body can often prevent severe infections.
However, if bacteria, fungi, or viruses overwhelm the immune system, a more serious illness can result.
The most common symptoms of pneumonia include:
• a cough
• shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• chest pain
• a fever
• chills
• fatigue and muscle aches
• a headache due to a persistent cough
Home remedies for pneumonia symptoms
Depending on the cause of pneumonia, a doctor will prescribe medication to treat the infection.
During recovery, they will also recommend:
• getting plenty of rest
• eating nutritious foods
• drinking lots of fluids
In addition, some home remedies may help a person manage the symptoms and enhance recovery. The following sections will discuss these in more detail.
Cough home remedies
If the lungs are producing extra mucus as part of an immune reaction, the body will use a cough to try to expel this fluid from the lungs. For this reason, a doctor may not recommend using a cough suppressant.
However, some natural methods may help reduce the severity of a cough, including:
1. Peppermint, eucalyptus, and fenugreek tea
Many warm herbal teas can help soothe a scratchy throat, but herbs may be more beneficial.
A 2011 study found that herbs, including peppermint and eucalyptus, had a soothing effect on the throats of people with upper respiratory tract infections.
These herbs may help break up mucus and ease the pain and inflammation caused by pneumonia.
A 2013 study notes that fenugreek might help break down mucus. A tea made from ground fenugreek seeds may, therefore, ease a persistent cough.
Eucalyptus and tea tree oils may also Trusted Source help relieve coughs. People can use these in a diffuser. However, they should try limiting their exposure at first, to ensure that the use of oils does not worsen their symptoms.
Although research suggests essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these oils. A person should talk with a healthcare professional before using essential oils and research the quality of a particular brand’s products. It is also important to always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
2. A saltwater gargle
Mucus in the throat and chest can trigger more coughing and irritation. A warm saltwater gargle may help eliminate mucus or germs in the throat, which may provide some relief.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of respiratory infections. If a person has difficulty breathing, they need immediate medical attention.
However, if the symptoms are mild, the following tips may help:
3. Caffeine
Drinking a small amount of caffeine, such as a cup of coffee or green tea, may help open up the airways in the lungs. This could help a person breathe more easily.
4. Warm, damp air
Inhaling warm, damp air may ease breathing and keep the throat from tightening. Breathing in the steam from a shower or breathing over a warm cup of tea may help.
5. Rest
Rest is vital for cellular repair in the body, but it may be especially beneficial for shortness of breath. A person with pneumonia may benefit from keeping physical exertion to a minimum.
Chest pain
Chest discomfort is a common symptom of pneumonia. The following remedies may help ease this symptom:
6. Ginger or turmeric tea
A persistent cough can result in chest pain. Drinking fresh, warm ginger tea or turmeric tea may help reduce this pain.
The roots of both of these plants can have a natural anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Chop up a thumb-sized piece of either root and boil it in a pint or so of water. If a person prefers strong tea, they can boil it for longer or add more of the root. If the flavor is too sharp, they can try adding a spoonful of honey.
Fever home remedies
A person with pneumonia may also have a fever. As long as the fever is mild, a person may wish to use natural remedies to manage it.
If the fever is high or persistent, however, it is important to seek medical help. It could be a symptom of a severe infection.
The following remedies may help with a mild fever:
7. Hydration
When a person has a fever, consuming liquids and electrolytes can help prevent dehydration. Drinking cool beverages or eating homemade ice popsicles may help hydrate the body and cool it down.
9. Over-the-counter pain relievers
Some over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), may help reduce fever and pain. It is important to take these medications with food and not exceed the recommended dosage.
10. A lukewarm bath or compress
Soaking the body in lukewarm water may help cool it down.
If it is not possible to take a bath, apply towels or washcloths to the body after dunking them in lukewarm water and wringing them out. This may help the surface of the body cool. When the towels warm up, dip them in the water again and reapply.
Chills home remedies
Chills are often a secondary symptom of a fever. The following home remedies may help ease chills:
11. Warm liquids
Drinking warm liquids may help warm the body up and prevent chills.
Some examples include:
• Warm water
• Herbal teas
• A bowl of soup
Avoid sodas and consume either water or liquids that contain nutrients.
General symptoms
Some foods contain compounds that may help boost the immune system, fight bacteria, and manage inflammation. These may help ease the symptoms of pneumonia more generally. For example:
12. Additional natural compounds
A number of at-home products contain compounds that may help boost the healing process. Examples include:
• Garlic
• Honey
• Tea tree oil
Name: AREEHA MARYAM(student of third semester BS-HND) HAMDARD UNIVERSITY
Course instructor :Prof .DR MUHAMMAD MOMA
N KHAN (physiology department)