Inflammation of the lungs is a rather dangerous disease that has a wide variety of symptoms, and its symptoms can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from the course of a cold. Pneumonia can develop quite rapidly, which is dangerous not only for health, but also for human life.
Very often, inflammation leads to death, despite the fact that it has been learned to successfully treat it in many countries. It is very important to timely diagnose and determine the disease so that adequate treatment can be prescribed.
Disease feature
It is very important to understand exactly what pneumonia is and how it is manifested. This is an acute process that occurs directly in the chest cavity, which is often of a bacterial nature.
It is the lungs that saturate the human body with oxygen. With the occurrence of inflammation, the respiratory system is greatly affected.
The risk of pneumonia in young children and elderly people is very high, since in this category of people the immunity is weakened and is not able to withstand bacteria that have entered the body. With age, the protective functions are greatly weakened, so microbes are not completely destroyed and harm organs.
Classification
In medicine, there are several different forms of pneumonia, in particular, such as:
- typical;
- atypical;
- suction character;
- triggered by pathogens.
Inflammation of an aspiration nature occurs when foreign objects enter the lungs. Often develops with severe intoxication or under the influence of drugs. In addition, there may be nosocomial pneumonia, which can develop due to:
- the patient is in a hospital for more than 2 days;
- impaired immune system;
- with mechanical ventilation.
The most severe form of pneumonia is croup. It can be heard in the very first days of the onset of the disease. In addition, the heart rate is significantly increased, as well as the pressure decreases.
There is focal pneumonia, in which trembling of the voice and wheezing is observed, shortness of breath becomes more severe. Interstitial pneumonia is characterized by compaction of lung tissue with fuzzy severity. In this case, bilateral inflammation is often diagnosed. In addition, such a disease is divided by the severity of the course and may have:
- lung;
- medium heavy;
- complicated.
The severity of pneumonia can only be determined by a qualified doctor. Depending on this, the symptoms of pneumonia are determined, according to which a final diagnosis is established and the therapy necessary for a particular case is selected.
Causes of occurrence
The main cause of pneumonia is associated with damage to the lung tissue by various viruses and bacteria, which is mainly observed as a result of weakened immunity. Pathogens penetrate the lungs not only by inhalation, but also infection can occur during manipulations with non-sterile medical devices.
The causes of inflammation can be hidden in the infection of lymph or blood, for example, with sepsis or drug addiction. With the occurrence of certain diseases, the risk of inflammation increases several times. These diseases include:
- heart defects;
- hypovitaminosis and malnutrition;
- cystic fibrosis;
- heart failure;
- immunodeficiency;
- endocrine disorders.
Bad habits lead to a strong suppression of the immune system, which allows the infection to freely enter the body and multiply in the lung tissue. The risk of contracting pneumonia is largely dependent on lifestyle. Often, the lower parts of the lungs are affected, which, in a normal state, practically do not participate in the breathing process.
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise does not allow the lungs to function normally, as a result of which mucus accumulates, which provokes the subsequent multiplication of bacteria.
The main symptoms
To make the correct diagnosis, it is very important to know what kind of symptoms are observed with pneumonia in adults and children. In the case of pneumonia, the symptoms largely depend on the primary cause of the pathology and the amount of damage to the lung tissue. However, for all types of pneumonia, the symptoms can be general, that is, they appear in all patients.
First of all, typical symptoms include general intoxication syndrome, which manifests itself in the form of fever, chills, and malaise. In addition, the general symptoms of pneumonia are manifested in the form of sputum production, coughing, shortness of breath.
Among the signs of pneumonia, one can also distinguish such as:
- persistent cough;
- decreased appetite;
- runny nose;
- temperature;
- fast fatiguability;
- blanching of the skin;
- severe weakness.
Symptoms of pneumonia manifest themselves quite sharply and are characterized by fever up to 40 degrees, pain in the chest area. First a dry cough appears, and then it becomes somewhat moist, with the release of sputum. The disease is very dangerous in that it cannot be diagnosed in a timely manner, which can have dangerous consequences and complications.
Symptoms of pneumonia are often similar to signs of a simple cold or flu. However, many patients with manifestations of local pneumonia may not be.
With croupous pneumonia , a significant part of the lung is affected. It usually begins acutely and suddenly. Among the main signs of pneumonia in an adult, you need to highlight chills, fever, headache, severe weakness, pain in the side, which increases significantly with movement or coughing. This condition is also characterized by severe shortness of breath and discomfort in the sternum, cough and sputum. In this case, there is no cold.
A febrile blush appears on the patient's face, breathing becomes quickened and the wings of the nose are greatly swollen. The patient occupies a position on his side, as this limits respiratory activity and reduces pain.
With focal pneumonia, the onset is usually not too sharp. The following symptoms of pneumonia are observed: temperature, which rises gradually, dry cough, runny nose, weakness. In addition, quite often there is rapid breathing, tachycardia, hard breathing, muffled heartbeat, dry rales. When bronchitis is attached, dry rales are additionally heard, and in the case of pleurisy, noises are heard.
Symptoms of pneumonia in adults, if it has an atypical form, largely depend on which pathogens were provoked. Mycoplasma pneumonia manifests itself in the form of severe sore throat, enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes, runny nose, headache. For this form, sputum and compression of the chest are completely uncharacteristic.
Signs of pneumonia provoked by legionellosis manifest as dry cough, fever, chest pain, diarrhea, kidney damage, and slow heart rate.
Symptoms of pneumonia without fever may occur . In addition, symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness, cough, and excessive sweating may be observed. A similar condition is observed mainly with reduced activity of the immune system.
If, after a previous bronchitis, flu, or a cold, symptoms of pneumonia are observed, then you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent complications.
Diagnostics
If there are symptoms of pneumonia in children or adults, then you need to see a doctor for a comprehensive examination and subsequent treatment. First of all, the doctor prescribes fluorography. For a clearer picture, you need to take two pictures, one on the side and the other directly.
Then you need to study sputum. This will determine the pathogen that has invaded the lungs. A complete blood count will help to get a complete picture of what the general condition of the body is during the course of the disease. The high erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicates the occurrence of inflammation in the body. Additionally, such types of studies can be carried out as:
- tomography;
- biopsy;
- bronchoscopy;
- Analysis of urine.
The more methods will be applied for research, the much more complete picture of the course of pneumonia can be obtained by a doctor. A correctly diagnosed diagnosis will help the doctor determine and draw up the most appropriate course of therapy.
Treatment features
It is very important to understand exactly how to treat pneumonia to prevent complications. Patients with pneumonia are mainly hospitalized in the general therapeutic department. If there are signs of severe intoxication and heat, bed rest, a vitamin-rich diet, and a warm, plentiful drink are prescribed. With severe manifestations of respiratory failure, patients are prescribed inhalations.
Treatment of pneumonia is carried out using antibacterial drugs. Prescribe antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent a sharp deterioration in well-being. The drug is chosen exclusively by the attending doctor. When pneumonia occurs, detoxification therapy is indicated, taking expectorant, immunostimulating, antipyretic, antihistamines and mucolytic drugs. After normalization of health, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises are indicated.
Treatment should be continued until recovery, as determined by laboratory tests. With frequent and repeated manifestations of pneumonia, the issue of surgical intervention is being resolved.
Drug therapy
In the presence of pneumonia in adults, drugs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process. When conducting therapy, doctors use several types of drugs, in particular, such as:
- antibiotics
- antipyretic;
- expectorant;
- detoxification;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- cardiovascular.
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed primarily, however, their choice is purely individual and depends on the cause of the disease. The most common antibiotics are Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone. These drugs can be prescribed for adults and children, since they have a fairly wide range of effects and a minimum of side effects. The dosage is selected purely individually, and the course of therapy is at least 5 days.
Often, taking antihistamines, for example, Suprastin, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, is required. Hormone therapy is sometimes prescribed. With a wet cough, expectorants are required to facilitate the removal of sputum from the body. During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed immunostimulants and vitamin complexes, which helps to strengthen the immune system.
Folk techniques
Treatment of inflammation with folk remedies should be carried out only after consulting a treating doctor. It is very important to combine folk recipes with taking medications. Among the most effective means, honey with birch buds can be distinguished. To prepare the drug, you need to mix 100 g of birch buds with 750 g of honey, best buckwheat. Then warm the resulting product in a water bath for about 10 minutes. Take it for 1 tsp. before meals.
For treatment, you can use medical tar. To prepare a medicinal product, you need to put it in a jar, pour warm water, close the lid and put in a warm place for 9 days. Take the finished medicine for 1 tbsp. l before eating food.
You can make a compress based on honey and vodka. However, it can be used only in the case of the most mild course of inflammation of the lung tissue, when there is no accumulation of pus.
It must be understood that alternative methods are not an alternative to traditional therapy. They can be used along with it under the supervision of the attending physician.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
During the course of pneumonia, it is important to alleviate the condition of the patient, since the patient is very difficult to breathe. That is why it is advisable to carry out such procedures as:
- oxygen therapy;
- inhalation;
- mechanical ventilation.
Oxygen therapy implies that the patient is supplied with air with a high oxygen content through the mask. This allows you to get rid of respiratory failure and cope with significant lung damage.
Possible complications
A complication of the course of pneumonia is considered to be the development of reactive and inflammatory processes in the bronchopulmonary system and other organs provoked by pneumonia. The course and outcome of the disease largely depends on the presence of negative manifestations. Complications can be pulmonary and extrapulmonary. Pulmonary manifestations include:
- gangrene
- lung abscess
- obstructive syndrome;
- acute respiratory failure;
- exudative pleurisy.
Among extrapulmonary complications, glomerulonephritis, meningitis, endocarditis, anemia, myocarditis, and psychosis can be noted.
Prophylaxis
With pneumonia, the prognosis is determined by a number of factors, in particular, such as the age of the patient, the nature of the pathogen, the presence of concomitant diseases, and especially immunity. Adverse in terms of prognosis are various complications of the course of the disease. Especially dangerous is the course of pneumonia in children under 1 year of age, provoked by staphylococcus, as well as other dangerous bacteria and viruses. With timely and comprehensive treatment, pneumonia ends in complete recovery.
Prevention measures include hardening the body, maintaining normal immunity, eliminating hypothermia, eliminating dust. In addition, rehabilitation of foci of inflammation, cessation of smoking and consumption of alcohol are required. In weakened and bedridden patients, for the purpose of prevention, massage, therapeutic and respiratory gymnastics are indicated.
Vaccinations are prescribed for children from 2 years of age, since the prevention of inflammation is a very important component of therapy. Among the most effective vaccines are the American Prevenar and the French Pneumo-23. Drugs can be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. However, it is worth noting that negative manifestations may occur.
Features of pneumonia in children
Inflammation of the lungs in children is one of the most serious respiratory diseases. But if you seek medical help in a timely manner and strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can achieve a very good result.
The main predisposing factor is the hypothermia of the child. It is worth noting that this disease can occur in children of different age groups. The most common causative agents of pneumonia in children aged 6 months to 5 years are pneumococcus.
After infection, as well as the development of pathogenic microflora, acute inflammation begins, accompanied by an increase in temperature. In addition, there is a pallor of the skin, fatigue, refusal of food, rapid breathing.
The diagnosis is established on the basis of existing symptoms, as well as after an appropriate study. Treatment requires constant monitoring, as at any moment the child’s well-being can be greatly deteriorated. Children under 3 years old are often hospitalized to constantly monitor their well-being. At an older age, treatment can be carried out at home, but at the same time, all the doctor's recommendations must be strictly observed. All therapies are selected only by a qualified doctor.
Inflammation of the lungs is a very serious and dangerous disease, which is why it is necessary to timely diagnose and subsequent treatment.