🐩 🏎️ 🗂️ Aspiration pneumonia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment ⚖️ 🏏 👶

Respiratory diseases have always been and remain the most common. Aspiratory pneumonia or pneumonia is a diagnosis that every person has encountered at least once in his life. The disease includes three different syndromes, which determine the tactics of treatment. A timely and correct diagnosis will relieve many complications. Therefore, it is not worth while visiting a doctor.

Insidious disease

Pneumonia (pneumonia ) is an acute infectious disease during which the airways, in particular the lungs, suffer.

There are several forms of this ailment, which is explained by a huge number of microbial pathogens. Each person has a different illness. For some, it is no more complicated than bronchitis or SARS, for others it can be fatal. A favorable prognosis is possible with timely contact with a specialist.

At risk are children, the elderly, as well as those who have weakened immunity. "Likes" pneumonia of heavy smokers and alcoholics.

The best prevention of the disease is a healthy lifestyle and strengthening immunity.

Types of pneumonia

The diagnosis of "pneumonia" has recently been heard quite often. Depending on the nature of the course of the disease, several of its forms are distinguished:

Croupous pneumonia. The causative agent is pneumococcus. The causes of infection are reduced immunity, hypothermia, infectious diseases. Most often, the disease affects people in the winter season. Especially common in countries with cold climates. Mostly affects children of preschool and school age. Symptoms - high fever (under forty), dry lips, cold sores on the nose and lips, blush on the cheeks, weakness and malaise, headache, painful cough, chest pain.
Asymptomatic or pneumonia without coughing. It is characterized by general weakness, which lasts more than two weeks. Shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive sweating and fever are also observed.
Localized. Most often found in babies up to a year. Symptoms - a dry cough, which eventually develops into a wet one. Shortness of breath appears (especially during crying). The course of the disease can be very severe.
Toxic pneumonia. It arises as a result of exposure to toxic substances. It has terrible consequences. The disease affects the circulatory system, brain, digestive tract. Symptoms - fever up to 39 degrees, weakness, headache, sputum with blood, wheezing in the lungs.
Atypical and viral pneumonia. They have similar symptoms. The causative agents can be microbes of respiratory infections, as well as mycoplasmas, chlamydia, legionella. By symptoms, the disease resembles mumps or measles. Difficulty breathing, dry cough. These two forms are the only ones that are transmitted by airborne droplets. Other types of pneumonia are not transmitted by contact.
Aspiration pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs resulting from the ingress of chemicals, foreign bodies, bacteria, vomit, etc. This form of the disease is a common occurrence in newborn children, who, passing the birth canal of the mother, “swallow” amniotic fluid with a pathogen (in this case, bacteria that cause STDs).
Staphylococcal pneumonia. The causative agent is staphylococcus, which, when it enters the lungs, gives rise to complex organ infections. Symptoms - chest pain, shortness of breath, general intoxication.

The main symptoms of pneumonia

When a person develops pneumonia, the symptoms and treatment of the disease completely depend on its form. So, the main task of the patient is a timely visit to the doctor and determining the exact diagnosis.

The signs of the disease may be different, but the following symptoms require special attention:

elevated temperature, optionally 39 or 40;
headache, weakness, fatigue;
dry cough (the first three to four days), which is replaced by wet;
shortness of breath, chest pain;
decreased appetite;
blue skin.

These symptoms are most often signs of pneumonia. However, tuberculosis has the same manifestations. An urgent diagnosis in this case is simply necessary.

Sometimes pneumonia without coughing can develop. Hidden forms of the disease are the most difficult, as they come to light rather late. They are more common in people with weakened immune systems. The main symptoms are weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing.

Pneumonia can spread to one or both lobes of the lungs. Accordingly, we will talk about unilateral or bilateral pneumonia.

According to severity distinguish:

Mild pneumonia - home treatment is possible, the prognosis is favorable, there are no pathologies.
Medium - hospitalization is necessary, complications are possible.
Severe - immediate hospitalization. Long-term recovery, complications are present in most cases.

Inflammation of the lungs: complications

Pneumonia is a disease that requires immediate intervention by specialists. Self-medication is excluded. Often, even when assisting, there are complications of pneumonia, the most common of which are:

obstructive syndrome;
respiratory failure due to obstruction of the respiratory tract, as a result, the whole body suffers from a lack of oxygen (hypoxia), metabolism and normal functioning of organs are disturbed;
exudative pleurisy - fluid accumulation in the pleural membranes of the lungs;
lung gangrene - a purulent process in the organ, which is accompanied by necrosis (death) of tissues;
abscess - the formation in the lungs of capsules with pus as a result of melting of the lung tissue.

As a result of transferred pneumonia, heart failure, endocarditis, myocarditis, meningitis, sepsis can develop. Some complications of pneumonia are fatal. At risk are infants and preschoolers.

The slightest suspicion of pneumonia is the main reason for going to the hospital.

Diagnosis and treatment

In order for the treatment of any disease to be effective, it must be correctly diagnosed. The following types of tests will “tell” that the disease that struck the lungs - pneumonia disease, will be “told”:

Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, talking with the patient about complaints.
Finger tapping of the lungs (percussion), which is necessary to detect lesions.
X-ray One of the important and main methods of lung research. Thanks to him, doctors have a holistic picture of the disease.
General blood and urine tests.
Sputum tests.
Bronchoscopy Assign in severe cases of the disease. The procedure is the introduction of a special device with a camera into the lungs (through the nasopharynx) and an assessment of the condition from the inside.

Symptoms of pneumonia may be similar to bronchitis, pleurisy, tuberculosis. Therefore, correct and accurate diagnosis is a “successful investment” in recovery.

As already mentioned, pneumonia symptoms and treatment can have different. Everything will be decided by the form of the disease. But in any case will be assigned:

Broad or narrow spectrum antibiotics.
Expectorant preparations.
Immunostimulants, vitamins.
Bed rest, heavy drinking, diet.
Herbal medicine, physical procedures. But only after normalizing the temperature.
Oxygen therapy, in particular oxygen cocktails, has a good effect.

Treatment with folk remedies

Inflammation of the lungs is a serious disease that can only be removed with antibiotics. Therapy is necessarily prescribed by a specialist doctor. However, when diagnosed with pneumonia, alternative treatment may also be effective.

During illness, it’s important to include foods such as garlic, onions, and honey in your diet. These are the best remedies for many viral and inflammatory processes in the body.

Also useful will be:

Syrup with aloe. It is necessary to grind the leaves of the flower so that one glass comes out. Add one and a half glasses of honey and pour all 0.5 liters of good cahors. The mixture is insisted for two weeks, then strain and squeeze. Take one tablespoon three times a day.
Insist on a steam bath for fifteen minutes, flowers of calendula, chamomile and St. John's wort (in equal parts - one tablespoon each). Take two glasses of water. Take 2-3 tablespoons four to five times a day.
Pour two tablespoons of oats with a glass of milk and bring to a boil. Add honey and half a teaspoon of tea butter. Drink the infusion before bedtime.
Decoctions with coltsfoot, violet, sage are good.
You can make honey compresses, draw iodine nets, rub your back and chest with badger or goat fat. But only if there is no temperature.

Aspiration pneumonia

The disease occurs when harmful microbes from the upper respiratory tract or stomach enter the lungs. These microorganisms cause severe infectious processes in the body.

The main symptoms indicating the development of the disease:

Difficulty swallowing.
Cough often after eating.
Dyspnea.
Chest pains.
Poor general health, fever.
Bad breath.

Most often, people are at risk:

With alcohol dependence (lack of consciousness, deep, uncontrolled sleep contribute to microaspiration).
Having problems with teeth.
Those who are under anesthesia.
There is aspiration pneumonia in newborns. When the baby passes the birth canal of the mother, he swallows amniotic fluid. If a woman has had untreated infections, this contributes to the infection of the baby’s lungs with harmful bacteria (chlamydia, trichomonads, mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and others).
Those who have problems with the digestive system, heartburn, also suffer from the disease.
People with chronic lung disease.

A final diagnosis can be made only after a thorough examination: x-ray, bronchoscopy, blood tests, sputum tests.

Like other forms of the disease, aspiration pneumonia requires the use of antibacterial agents. Hospitalization is indicated, depending on the condition of the patient and on the course of the disease.

Ignoring symptoms and therapy can cause complications such as an abscess, gangrene, and choking. Lethal outcomes are also likely.

Airway Prevention

Prevention of pneumonia - an event that should be mandatory in every family, especially in the winter season.

So:

People who work in large groups should wear a respiratory mask during colds and epidemics.
Even before the height of the disease, it is advisable to vaccinate. Vaccination can protect against illness or at least alleviate the form of the disease.
Lead a healthy and proper lifestyle. Pay special attention to your diet. It is also necessary to abandon bad habits.
An excellent prevention of the protective functions of the lungs is breathing exercises. It promotes self-cleaning organ.
You should never bring any disease to a chronic form. Complications are sometimes unpredictable.
The use of phyto and aromatherapy in everyday life.
It is necessary to avoid stressful situations and hypothermia.
When working with harmful substances, personal protective equipment must always be used.
Having diseases such as acute respiratory viral infections, flu, you do not need to self-medicate. The causative agents of these infections can also cause pneumonia.

Pneumonia prevention is a budget way to prevent serious illnesses and strengthen your immunity.

Pneumonia during pregnancy

Like any disease, pneumonia during pregnancy is a highly undesirable phenomenon. The disease can have a negative effect not only on the mother's body, but also have a detrimental effect on the unborn baby.

Severe pneumonia is an indication for abortion. Intoxication of the body sometimes leads to complex defects in the development of the fetus, can cause intrauterine death.

The main symptoms of pneumonia during pregnancy:

chest pain, prolonged dry cough;
weakness, increased fatigue;
excessive sweating, fever, fever, chills;
weight loss, lack of appetite.

If you find the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately contact your local doctor. In any case, treatment is carried out using antibacterial drugs. Medicines are selected individually according to the duration of pregnancy. Immunostimulating agents and vitamins are necessarily prescribed.

It is contraindicated to get pneumonia in the first trimester of pregnancy. In most cases, such a pregnancy ends in an abortion. Therefore, expectant mothers need to take care of themselves and conduct timely prevention of the disease.

Conclusion

One of the most dangerous diseases affecting the human respiratory tract is pneumonia. Therapy of the disease should be carried out immediately with the detection of the first symptoms. In many cases, hospitalization of the patient and antibiotic treatment are indicated.