Pneumonia

1. lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with
pus and may become solid.

Germs called bacteria or viruses usually cause pneumonia.

Pneumonia usually starts when you breathe the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to
get the disease after having a cold or the flu.These illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight
infection, so it is easier to get pneumonia. Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma,
heart disease, cancer, or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia.

Symptoms
cold. You will likely cough up mucus (sputum) from your lungs. Mucus may be rusty or green
or tinged with blood.
Fever.
Fast breathing and feeling short of breath.
Shaking and "teeth-chattering" chills.
Chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in.
Fast heartbeat.
Feeling very tired or very weak.
Nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea.

Treatment
Bacterial pneumonia
Doctors use antibiotics to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria, the most common cause of the
condition. Antibiotics have a high cure rate for pneumonia.5
Your doctor will choose your antibiotic based on a number of things, including your age, your
symptoms and how severe they are, and whether you need to go to the hospital. The number of
days you take antibiotics depends on your general health, how serious your pneumonia is, and
the type of antibiotic you are taking.

Vaccinations

Children get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) as a routine vaccination. Older adults
(age 65 or older), people who smoke, and people who have some long-term (chronic) conditions

also need the pneumococcal vaccine. Depending on age and other things, adults can get PCV or
the pneumococcal polysaccharide

Prevention of pneumonia
There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent getting pneumonia.

Stop smoking. You're more likely to get pneumonia if you smoke.

Avoid people who have infections that sometimes lead to pneumonia.

o Stay away from people who have colds, the flu, or other respiratory tract
infections.
o If you haven't had measles or chickenpox or if you didn't get vaccines against
these diseases, avoid people who have them.

Wash your hands often. This helps prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that may
cause pneumonia
Types of Pneumonia

Community acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia, or CAP, is the most common type of pneumonia,"
Hirsch said, because you can catch it in public places such as a school or workplace.
Getting vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia reduce your risk for CAP.

Hospital-Acquired and Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia

Patients who have recently been hospitalized or are in long-term nursing facilities and rehab
facilities can get pneumonia with more deadly bugs,"
You are most likely to get this type of pneumonia in the intensive care unit of a hospital
when recovering from surgery or using a breathing tube.
Aspiration Pneumonia
Chemical- or toxin-related pneumonia can be seen in elderly patients with poor swallowing
mechanisms, such as stroke victims who actually can inhale the acidic contents of their
stomachs, causing aspiration pneumonia," Some conditions that may put you at risk for
aspiration pneumonia include overuse of drugs or alcohol, seizure, general surgery,
gastroesophageal reflux disease, neurological diseases, and chronic lung disease.

 Opportunistic Pneumonia
As you may have guessed, this type of pneumonia is called opportunistic because it attacks you
if you have a weak immune system.
These bugs would probably not affect you if your immune system were strong.
You're more at risk for this type of pneumonia if you have a chronic lung disease, have
HIV/AIDS, or have had an organ transplant
Emphysema
Is a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing
breathlessness.
Emphysema is a form of chronic (long-term) lung disease. People with emphysema have
difficulty breathing from a limitation in blowing air out. There are multiple causes of
emphysema, but smoking is by far the most common.
Emphysema is one of the main types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its
called obstructive because people with emphysema exhale as if something were obstructing the
flow of air. The other form of COPD is chronic bronchitis, which can also be caused by smoking.

Causes
Long-term exposure to lung irritants such as industrial dust and chemical fumes.
Preterm birth that leads to lung damage (neonatal chronic lung disease).
Inherited factors (genes)
Smoking is a major cause of emphysema

treatment

While there is no cure for emphysema, treatments are available to relieve symptoms and
prevent further lung damage. If you have emphysema, nothing is as urgent as quitting
smoking. Following that, there are a few useful treatments available for emphysema.
Oral Treatments for Emphysema
Emphysema patients may choose to take an oral steroid like prednisone, in addition to using an
inhaler. Antibiotics are also popular treatments, preventing infections that can lead to dangerous
conditions like pneumonia.

Medications as Inhalants
Bronchodilators are medications that relax the bronchiole muscles and improve airflow.
Bronchodilators are available as inhalers in both metered dose form and powder inhalers and
through nebulizer machines. Bronchodilators may be used for short-term use for those needing
immediate relief from symptoms, or for long-term use as maintenance medication.

Oxygen Supplementation
For many emphysema sufferers, some form of oxygen treatment will become a way of life. As
the disease progresses, the need for oxygen often increases. Some will eventually require
oxygen full-time.

Surgery and Rehabilitation

Some emphysema patients may qualify for surgery to reduce lung volume, which helps to
decrease symptoms. This surgery is generally not performed on older patients due to health risks.
Patients with damage thats centralized on the upper lobes of both lungs are more likely to
benefit from surgery.

Alternative Therapies
Sulphur has been identified as an aid in reduce inflammation and mucus. Often sold as MSM,
sulphur is also said to help increase oxygen flow. Coenzyme Q10,found in some fishes and
whole grains, contains antioxidant properties.

Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It
causes a cough that often brings up mucus,

Symptoms

Cough, which may produce clear, yellow or green mucus.

Wheezing.

Low fever.

Chest tightness or pain.

Shortness of breath (in severe cases)

Cause

The bronchitis infection can be caused by either a virus or bacteria, although viral
bronchitis is much more common. In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses
that cause the common cold or flu.
Types of Bronchitis
There are two types of bronchitis: acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term). Chronic
bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Treatment
Conventional treatment for acute bronchitis may consist of simple measures such as
getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, avoiding smoke and fumes, and possibly
getting a prescription for an inhaled bronchodilator and/or cough syrup. In some cases of
chronic bronchitis, oral steroids to reduce inflammation and/or supplemental oxygen may
be necessary.
Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs,
causing difficulty in breathing. It is usually connected to allergic reaction or other forms of
hypersensitivity Asthma is commonly divided into two types: allergic (extrinsic) asthma
and non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma. There is still much research that needs to be done to fully
understand how to prevent, treat and cure asthma. But, with proper management, people can
live healthy and active lives.
asthma has a genetic origin and is a disease you are born with, passed down from generation
to generation.

Substances that cause allergies (allergens) such as dust mites, pollens, molds, pet dander,
and even cockroach droppings. In many people with asthma, the same substances that cause
allergy symptoms can also trigger an asthma episode.
Irritants in the air, including smoke from cigarettes, wood fires, or charcoal grills. Also,
strong fumes or odors like household sprays, paint, gasoline, perfumes, and scented soaps.
Although people are not actually allergic to these particles, they can aggravate inflamed,
sensitive airways. Today most people are aware that smoking can lead to cancer and heart
disease.
Respiratory infections such as colds, flu, sore throats, and sinus infections. These are the
number one asthma trigger in children.
Weather such as dry wind, cold air, or sudden changes in weather can sometimes bring on an
asthma episode.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles)
in the tissues, especially the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium causes TB. It is spread through the air from person to
person, when people with TB affecting the lungs cough, sneeze, spit, laugh or talk. TB is
contagious, but it is not easy to catch.

Symptoms

A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer.

Pain in the chest.

Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)

Weakness or fatigue.

Weight loss.

No appetite.

Chills.

Fever.

Influenza
a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and
catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics.
Three main types of influenza viruses cause the flu: Type A, Type B, and Type C. All three virus
types are spread in the same way: they leave an infected person's body in droplets whenever that
person coughs, sneezes, or puts their mouth on another object.

symptoms

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills.

Cough.

Sore throat.

Runny or stuffy nose.

Muscle or body aches.

Headaches.

Fatigue (tiredness)

Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children
than adults.

Treatment
if you need immediate relief for swollen, congested nasal passages, you may get relief with an
over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray. It is important to stop using decongestant nasal sprays
after three to five days to avoid the development of rebound congestion.