Bilateral pneumonia is one of the most dangerous diseases, which, if untreated, leads to inevitable death. The disease appears due to the negative influence of pathogenic microorganisms that multiply in the tissues of the respiratory organs. The main factor in the development of pathogenic microflora is a decrease in general immunity. If the pathology covers both organs, then it is characterized by a severe course. It can be cured only in a hospital hospital.
What is a pathology?
The main danger of bilateral pneumonia is that the respiratory organs cannot fully cope with their gas exchange function. In addition to the inflammatory process, oxygen starvation develops in the body. The risk of complications in the cardiovascular system increases.
At the initial stages of the development of pathology, a person rarely visits a doctor, since he does not feel any special symptoms. The presented process is acute. Inflammation can be independent or caused by secondary causes. It has an infectious nature.
The most common causative agent of pneumonia is pneumococcus, staphylococcus, hemophilus bacillus or other viruses, bacteria. Since there are a huge number of pathogens, the selection of the right treatment depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis of the disease. It must be differential.
Reasons for the appearance
The inflammatory process in the right and left lung occurs due to various reasons. But the main factor in its development is considered to be a decrease in the functionality of the immune system. Bilateral pneumonia is caused by such reasons:
- Frequent pathologies of the respiratory organs, as a result of which the body's defenses are reduced.
- Hypothermia. It helps to slow down blood circulation, therefore, normal nutrition of lung tissues is disrupted.
- Non-compliance with sleep patterns. Insufficient rest is also considered to be the cause of a drop in immunity.
- Avitaminosis.
- Allergic reaction.
- Congenital pathology of the respiratory system.
- The wrong structure of the alveoli, as a result of which gas exchange is disturbed.
- Traumatic damage to the respiratory system.
- Autoimmune pathologies.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Bad environmental conditions.
- Bacterial infection.
- Foreign body in the airways.
- Chemical burn.
There are certain risk factors that increase a person's chances of getting a presented disease. These include: congestive heart failure, smoking, prolonged horizontal position, a condition characterized by inadequate immunity, excessive alcohol consumption.
Symptomatology
Symptoms of bilateral pneumonia are not easy to recognize. The fact is that they look like signs of other respiratory diseases. The main symptoms of an inflammatory process in the lungs include:
- A sharp increase in temperature to high rates, and knocking it down with antipyretic drugs does not work.
- Headache.
- Increased shortness of breath and sweating.
- Chills.
- Chest pain.
- On examination, the doctor discovers that the patient’s breathing is noisy, wheezing is present.
- Sleep disorder.
- Violation of the functionality of the stomach and intestines.
- General malaise.
- Pain in the muscle tissue.
- Heart palpitations.
- Decreased appetite.
- General intoxication of the body.
- Cough, in which sputum is released, which contains bloody impurities. This symptom does not appear in every patient.
- Change in skin tone, as well as the appearance of a rash on the face.
Bilateral pneumonia is an acute pathology, so the first symptoms are observed within a few hours after activation of the pathogen. But their intensity depends on the severity of the disease, as well as the stage of its development.
Varieties of pathology
Bilateral pneumonia of the lungs is characterized by damage to the lower lobes of the organs. In children, another type of pathology is more often observed - polysegmented. In general, these types of diseases can be distinguished:
- Total. It is considered the most dangerous, since it is most difficult to treat. The inflammatory process extends to all the lungs. It is developing rapidly.
- Bilateral drain. There are several small foci of inflammation that merge into one. However, there are still healthy areas in the respiratory system.
- Bilateral lower lobar. The inflammatory process covers only the lower lobe of the lung. The risk group includes bedridden patients, elderly patients, people with a high degree of obesity, diabetics, and HIV-infected people.
- Polysegmented. In this case, several sites are affected where a large number of alveoli are located. The main danger of this form is that it is developing rapidly. It can only be determined using x-rays, and not at the first stage of development. A person needs to urgently be hospitalized.
As for the severity, here it is possible to distinguish between heavy, medium and light. In addition, the inflammatory process can be acute, chronic or protracted. With improper treatment or late treatment of a person in a medical facility, pneumonia is complicated by the addition of other pathologies.
Another form of infection can distinguish these forms of the disease:
- Community-acquired bilateral pneumonia.
- Aspiration.
- Nosocomial.
- Caused by immunodeficiency.
A person can become ill not only at home, but also in hospital conditions (if he has been lying down for a long time).
Developmental stages
Bilateral pneumonia in adults develops in several stages:
- The first stage is the tide. It lasts from 12 hours to 3 days. There is a rapid filling of the blood vessels of the lungs. In this case, fibrous exudate is formed.
- The second one. Organ tissues become denser, and red blood cells appear in the alveolar exudate. This stage lasts 1-3 days.
- The third. Over the next 2-6 days, red blood cells break down, and a large number of white blood cells accumulate in the alveoli.
- Fourth. At this stage, the tissues of the respiratory system begin to recover.
These stages are characteristic of pneumonia, if it is uncomplicated.
Diagnostic Features
If symptoms of bilateral pneumonia in an adult appear, this diagnosis must be confirmed. Diagnosis in this case is not difficult. It includes such procedures:
- Roentgenography. It is carried out in order to detect the disease, as well as to control the quality of treatment.
- A study of the sputum of a patient who is expectorating (for example, the pathogen is determined, as well as its sensitivity to antibacterial agents).
- Blood analysis. In this way, the form and severity of the inflammatory process can be identified.
The sooner the diagnosis is made, the more favorable the prognosis for the patient.
Traditional therapy
Treatment of bilateral pneumonia in adults is carried out only in a hospital. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the inflammatory process, restore the function of the respiratory system, and also get rid of intoxication of the body. During therapy, the patient is required to observe bed rest.
Medication involves taking antibiotics. They are selected depending on which pathogen provoked the disease. Penicillins, macrolides or cephalosporins are used. They will have to be taken within 10 days.
In difficult situations, drugs are administered to the patient intramuscularly or intravenously. The entire prescribed course of antibiotics must be completed. During therapy, the patient needs to eat high-calorie foods, drink enough water. Immunity is also strengthened with the help of vitamin complexes. Often, a specialist may prescribe oxygen inhalation.
Antihistamines, sputum thinners, antipyretic drugs are also needed.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Bilateral pneumonia is treated for a long time. After the acute period has been passed, the doctors will prescribe the patient a course of restorative physiotherapeutic procedures. Useful is a massage in the lungs. It has a general strengthening effect.
Additional procedures that can accelerate recovery are electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, as well as respiratory gymnastics and physiotherapy exercises.
You can not self-medicate. Otherwise, the inflammatory process will develop even more, and pathological changes will be irreversible.
Folk remedies
Unconventional recipes help to cope with the disease, if they are used in combination with medications. Do not use them yourself - it is better to consult a doctor first. Such tools will be useful:
- To eliminate a dry cough, a decoction based on licorice root will help.
- Radish juice contributes to a better discharge of sputum.
- Butter and propolis enhance the body's defenses, stimulating them to fight the disease and its pathogen.
- Eucalyptus decoction for inhalation. After them, the patient becomes easier to breathe, the whole body is strengthened.
- Mustard will help improve blood circulation and metabolic processes in the tissues of the respiratory organs. She should rub her back (using dry powder). The product is kept on the back for only 1 minute, and then removed from the skin. After the procedure, the patient should wear a warm sweater.
- Honey cakes. Mustard, alcohol and honey should be combined in equal proportions. To make a cake, flour is added to the mixture. A compress should be applied to the back for 2-3 hours.
Alternative medicines can also be used after the patient recovers in order to strengthen the body.
Complications of the respiratory system
If the treatment of bilateral pneumonia was carried out inopportune, then the patient develops complications. First of all, in the tissues of the respiratory organs there are irreversible effects in the tissues. The patient has the following complications:
- The development of repeated pathological foci, which are more intense and difficult to treat.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Gangrene of the lungs.
- An abscess that will have to be removed surgically.
- Obstructive respiratory disease that cannot be cured completely.
- Exudative pleurisy.
These complications apply only to the respiratory system, but there may be other consequences.
Other consequences
In a negative way, pneumonia also affects other body systems: the central nervous system, cardiovascular. The consequences of bilateral pneumonia are:
- Psychosis, nervous breakdown.
- Toxic shock due to intoxication of the body by the vital products of bacteria.
- Anemia.
- Myocarditis.
- Inflammation of the meninges - meningitis.
During treatment, the body is exposed to strong antibiotics, so the defenses are weakened. This leads to activation of fungi. An allergy also occurs, the digestive process is disturbed. These complications can be eliminated, but this should only be done after the course of antibiotic therapy is over.
Disease prevention
The main danger of bilateral pneumonia in an adult is serious complications and the rapid development of the underlying pathology. It is better to completely prevent its occurrence. For this, the following preventive measures should be observed:
- Wash hands thoroughly.
- Temper and strengthen the body with vitamin preparations.
- Eat well.
- Get a flu shot.
- Regularly engage in sports, ensure a full night's sleep, do not overwork.
- Refuse bad habits, especially smoking.
Bilateral pneumonia can be fatal, therefore, it is necessary to deal with it as soon as the first symptoms appear. Self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.