Pneumonia refers to the development of the process of inflammation in the lung tissue. The lungs are a paired organ that performs the respiratory function in the body and carries out the gas exchange process. The left and right lungs are not identical. Upper lobar pneumonia is an inflammatory infectious process, the specificity of which is localization in the upper lobe. Upper right-sided pneumonia affects one to three pulmonary segments. This type of inflammation is not the most common. The disease is not always diagnosed in a timely manner, and if there is no treatment, this can lead to complications.
Disease characteristic
The left lung is smaller, there are two lobes, and the right is large and has three lobes. When considering the structure of the lungs in them, three components can be distinguished: bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli.
In the lung tissue there are a lot of lobules, combined into lobes. The bronchi enter the top of any organ lobule. Their smallest branches are called bronchioles, at the ends of which there are formations, including a lot of alveolar branches with many tiny vesicles (alveoli) with very thin walls.
It is here that the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body. In addition, the structural units of the pulmonary structure are bronchopulmonary segments. So called parts of the lung that correspond to the primary branches of the lobar bronchi. These segments are separated by partitions - connective tissue. In the right lung, in its upper lobe, three segments stand out, while in the same lobe of the left - five. If pneumonia develops, then the process of inflammation extends to the alveoli, where inflammatory exudation occurs. In some cases, interstitial lung tissue is also affected.
Pneumonia, which develops in the upper part of the lungs, is observed much less frequently compared to the lower lobe. The process of inflammation develops mainly in the upper right lobe. This is explained by the fact that the right bronchus is wider and shorter, and therefore the infection in this direction spreads faster and easier. Upper lobe right-sided focal pneumonia is quite difficult to diagnose. Such a pathological form requires a very thorough differential diagnosis and examination.
Right-sided upper-lobe segmental pneumonia is a disease characterized by inflammation of the bronchopulmonary segment. The proportion of segmental inflammation in children among all forms of pneumonia is 25%. In some cases, several segments of the organ are affected at once.
First of all, it is necessary to exclude the likelihood that the symptoms of the disease are of tuberculosis origin. The examination must be carried out comprehensively, since even the results obtained after radiography can give a picture resembling tuberculosis.
What provokes right-sided upper lobar pneumonia?
Pathogen
Pneumonia of the upper lobe of the right lung is mainly caused by various bacteria - Friedlander’s bacillus, pneumococci and streptococci. In more rare cases, yeast can cause the disease. For this type of pathology, the viral origin is uncharacteristic.
Symptoms
Right-sided upper-lobar pneumonia is a difficult disease with a pronounced clinical picture. The course of this pathological variety is distinguished by its specificity. The disease has a slow development, which interferes with its diagnosis at an early stage.
At first a slight malaise appears. Only after some time, severe symptoms suddenly appear. Manifestations of the disease are somewhat different in adults and children.
Signs in adults
The process of inflammation of the right lung in the upper lobe is easily diagnosed during the examination.
In adult patients, the disease can manifest itself in the form of the following symptoms:
- fever capable of reaching forty degrees;
- pain in the right side of the chest;
- persistent dry cough;
- yellowish color of the sclera;
- rashes near the mouth;
- dyspnea.
Due to intoxication and severe coughing, the patient experiences vomiting and nausea.
Signs in children
Right-sided upper lobar pneumonia in young patients manifests itself in a slightly different way compared to adults. The disease in a child often has a latent form, it is difficult to detect at an early stage of occurrence.
As the disease develops, you can detect the following symptoms:
- redness of the epidermis on the face;
- a sore throat;
- cyanosis of the tips of the fingers and lips;
- poor appetite;
- dizziness and headache;
- confused consciousness.
In addition to the above, there are the same symptoms of the disease as in adults. Up to three years in children, dyspnea is more common, and then the remaining pathological manifestations.
Diagnostic Features
The process of inflammation of the upper right pulmonary lobe is clearly visible on x-rays. However, a patient with community-acquired right-sided upper lobar pneumonia still needs to undergo both instrumental, laboratory and clinical examination:
- Clinical examination. During the external examination, a specialist pulmonologist or therapist will see pallor of the skin, in the younger age group - a bluish tinge of the nasolabial triangle. Listening allows you to detect crepitus, hard and weakened breathing, and wheezing at the apex of the lung.
- X-ray Radiography is carried out in two projections. Blackout of the upper lobe, as well as an increase in the pattern of the lung, is detected on the radiograph.
- General blood analysis. Pulmonary inflammation is characterized by changes in the composition of the blood. ESR accelerated, increased white blood cell count.
- Sputum examination. Sowing is carried out in order to establish the type of pathogen. In addition, you need to pay attention to the color of sputum, the presence of disseminated pus or blood in it.
- Computed tomogram is the most informative research method. CT is performed if there is insufficient information obtained during the X-ray examination. However, the price of such manipulation is quite high, it is not carried out in all medical institutions.
It is very important to distinguish between right-sided lesions and left-sided ones, tuberculosis and bronchitis, since these pathologies are characterized by similar symptoms.
Treatment
If a disease such as right-sided upper-lobar pneumonia occurs in a child or adult, treatment should be started immediately. Uncomplicated forms of it can be treated on an outpatient basis.
Hospitalization is required in the following cases:
- age of the patient (in adults - after 65 years, in children - up to three);
- accession of serious pathologies;
- respiratory and heart failure;
- the appearance of complications;
- severe course of pathology.
Complex therapy is required, which includes medical treatment, auxiliary methods, diet and bed rest.
Drug treatment
Drug treatment is one of the main ways to get rid of pneumonia:
- Antibiotics: Flemoklav, Levofloxacin, Klacid. Inhibit the reproduction and growth of microbial flora. Used in the form of tablets, if the disease is severe in the form of injections.
- Expectorants: Fluimucil, Ambroxol. Contribute to liquefaction of sputum, as well as its removal from the lungs. Used in injection solutions and tablets.
- Vitamins: Revit, Ascorutin. They are distinguished by a general strengthening effect, accelerate the healing process. Used in the form of dragees and tablets.
What else is the treatment of upper lobe right-sided pneumonia?
Non-drug therapy
In addition to taking medications, side methods of treatment are also prescribed - breathing exercises, physiotherapy and massage. Such treatment can prevent the occurrence of complications, the patient's condition is facilitated, the recovery time is reduced:
- Physiotherapy has anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic effects. These procedures help strengthen sputum excretion, eliminate chest pain and cough. Most often, with pneumonia, the patient is prescribed inhalation, electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, magnetotherapy, UHF and inductothermy. Physiotherapy affects the affected body sparingly, can be used to treat children, pregnant women and the elderly.
- Exercise therapy and breathing exercises. You can engage in physical therapy two days after the fever stops. Respiratory gymnastics and physical education increase mobility of the chest, blood supply to the respiratory system improves, tissues are saturated with oxygen. There is a restoration of drainage and respiratory functions, so that inflammatory foci quickly resolve.
- Massage of the chest helps to improve lymph and blood circulation in the respiratory organs, sputum departs, congestion is eliminated, the patient's well-being as a whole improves. For patients with pulmonary inflammation, point, drainage, segmental, vacuum and vibration types of massage are recommended.
What else is usually included in the medical history? Upper right-sided pneumonia involves special nutrition.
Diet specifics
A significant point in the treatment of people with pneumonia is diet. Proper nutrition helps to restore the body's defenses, eliminates the deficiency of essential trace elements and vitamins, and boosts immunity.
With pneumonia, the diet involves the inclusion of dairy products, milk, low-fat fish, butter, cereals, meat, greens, fruits, fresh vegetables in the diet. You also need to adhere to the drinking regimen.
It is allowed to drink natural diluted juices, rosehip tea, fruit drinks, decoctions of medicinal herbs, jelly, stewed fruit, cooked from dried fruits. During treatment, you need to refrain from smoked, spicy and canned foods, limit salt in the diet.
Upper right-sided pneumonia is a serious disease that causes a number of serious complications. Timely seeking qualified help, proper diagnosis and treatment are required.
The danger of right-sided upper lobar pneumonia is now understandable.