Respiratory diseases can cause many inconveniences and problems. In addition, they can be life threatening. For example, interstitial pneumonia is not very common, however, if improperly treated, it can cause serious complications, up to lung abscess and death. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you must always consult a doctor.
What is a disease?
Interstitial pneumonia is characterized by the fact that it is a complication of a pathology such as influenza. Such inflammation occurs in the connective tissue of the lungs. Naturally, pathology is fraught with many dangers. Destructive processes that start in the tissues are very dangerous if the disease is not treated or the therapy is started very late.
It should be noted that this disease occurs under the influence of certain viruses. Its development is not fleeting. It will be necessary to be treated for this disease in a hospital, and for a long time. Diffuse lung function in this case is seriously impaired, the walls of the alveoli thicken. The course of the pathology is quite severe and requires mandatory hospitalization.
Causes of the appearance of pathology
There are many factors that can lead to pneumonia. Among them are the following:
- Bacterial or viral infection (although it is not contagious).
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Weakness of immunity, general overwork.
- Any transferred respiratory diseases, after which the body did not have time to recover completely.
- Improper nutrition.
- smoking.
- Lack of motor activity, which contributes to stagnation of sputum in the lungs and bronchi.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Now we will understand how interstitial pneumonia manifests itself. So, this disease is characterized by such signs:
1. The increase in temperature. Moreover, it may not be too strong (up to 37.5 degrees), but it holds steady and for a long time.
2. Difficulty breathing.
3. General weakness and malaise.
4. High level of sweating.
5. Significant weight loss.
6. Mild cough and shortness of breath.
7. The pallor of the skin.
Such a pathology may be accompanied by other minor symptoms. Naturally, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after examining and examining the patient.
Stages of the development of the disease
Interstitial pneumonia may not be felt for a long time, which is the greatest danger. There are several stages in the development of pneumonia :
1. The first. Usually it lasts only a day and is characterized by compaction of the lungs and filling of the alveoli with exudate.
2. The second. The lungs condense even more, turn red.
3. The third. Fibrin accumulates in the exudate, and red blood cells begin to break down. At the same time, the lungs change their shade to taupe.
4. The fourth. Fibrous exudate begins to dissolve, and the walls of the alveoli recover.
These stages of pneumonia are characteristic of almost all varieties of pathology. The only difference is the duration of each stage and the severity of changes in the lungs.
How to make a diagnosis
It should be noted that this cannot be done independently. Since the examination is based on passing certain tests and using hardware. For example, if you have pneumonia, an x-ray will help determine the extent and extent of lung damage. Without this study, it is impossible to accurately diagnose. In addition, radiography helps to see other respiratory diseases that may be more dangerous and have similar symptoms (tuberculosis).
There are also such tests for pneumonia: a general and biochemical blood test. It makes it possible to establish or exclude the presence of a bacterial (viral) infection in the body, which can cause the development of the disease. That is, this study helps determine the method of treatment.
Such tests for pneumonia as sputum culture are also considered mandatory. Thanks to this study, the doctor will be able to determine the amount of exudate in the alveoli, as well as obtain additional information about the type of pathology and stage of its development.
What complications are possible?
I must say that severe pneumonia can be fraught with serious consequences. For example, local complications are characterized by pathologies such as pleural empyema (inflammation of the pleural leaves, which is accompanied by the formation of pus), atelectasis (subsidence of all or part of the lung), and abscess (inflammation of the tissue with the formation of necrotic cavities).
Pneumonia (an x-ray is necessary) can contribute to the development of other pathologies: endocarditis, purulent arthritis, meningitis, nephritis, peritonitis, thrombophlebitis, brain abscess, toxic shock. That is, pneumonia can adversely affect all body systems.
Polysegmental and aspiration pneumonia: a characteristic of pathology
There are other types of diseases that are no less severe and require inpatient treatment. For example, polysegmental pneumonia, which is characterized by the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli of all segments of the organ. That is, several foci of inflammation can be detected in a patient. A distinctive feature of pathology is rapid progression. Therefore, therapy should be started immediately. Polysegmental pneumonia requires complex treatment, which can last several weeks. In the absence of therapy, a person may die from pulmonary failure or other complications.
Aspiration pneumonia is a special type of inflammation that is caused not by bacteria or the virus, but by small elements of food or digestive juice that enter the bronchi from the oral cavity. This can happen if a person choked. For treatment, bronchoscopy is most often used. In addition, severe patients can be connected to a ventilator. Aspiration pneumonia has positive predictions. However, if the disease is started, then the chances of a full recovery are reduced.
Traditional therapy
So, you already know that therapy should be comprehensive. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate those diseases that accompany inflammation, and also to eliminate the cause of the development of the pathology: virus, infection. It is imperative to remove the process of inflammation in the lungs. Most often, sufficiently strong antibiotics from a number of penicillins are used for this purpose. For example, Amoxicillin, Cefotaxime.
To eliminate exudate from bronchioles and alveoli, antitussive drugs are prescribed: "Lazolvan", "Bromhexine", "ACC". In addition, bronchodilator medications may be needed: Berodual. Naturally, the patient will also have to use anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as multivitamins to support the body and its recovery.
Proper nutrition during treatment is very important. It should contain all the necessary micro and macro elements that will strengthen the immune system and accelerate recovery. However, food should not be heavy. Naturally, it is necessary to maintain other body systems, especially the cardiovascular system, which undergoes complications in the first place.
In severe cases, surgery and bronchoscopy are used. In this case, the doctor decides whether to remove the affected and destroyed parts of the lung or you can restore them.
Other ways to fight the disease
Interstitial pneumonia, the treatment of which should be performed immediately after the first symptoms are detected, can be eliminated using physiotherapeutic and alternative methods. Naturally, this must be agreed with the doctor, as these methods can be complementary.
Among physiotherapeutic methods, the most effective are:
- Electrophoresis.
- Water and thermal procedures.
- Massage.
- Therapeutic exercise and shower.
As for folk recipes, the following will be useful:
1. One large spoon of coltsfoot is steamed with a glass of boiling water and insisted. After this, the mixture is filtered and taken up to 6-8 times a day in a tablespoon. This tool provides a good expectoration of sputum.
2. Viburnum berries must be insisted for 7 hours on hot honey. This remedy has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Mix two tablespoons of birch buds with 70 g butter. Further, the product must be melted on a small fire, while it is not recommended to boil it. After an hour, it is necessary to remove the mixture from the fire, cool slightly, squeeze and strain. About 200 g of honey should be added to the obtained product and mixed. Take the medicine 4 times a day for a tablespoon.
Disease prevention
Prevention of pathology is much better than its subsequent treatment. Therefore, it is better to take such preventive measures:
- First of all, try to quit smoking.
- Get vaccinated against respiratory diseases every year.
- Strengthen immunity with multivitamin complexes, as well as proper nutrition.
- Temper the body, lead an active lifestyle.
- Engage in swimming, running, walking and other sports.
- Try to treat emerging respiratory infections in a timely manner.
- Follow standard hygiene standards: wash your hands, do not be in public places during influenza epidemics.
- In the case of home treatment for pathology, the patient must necessarily observe bed rest.
That's all the features of the course, treatment and prevention of pneumonia. Be healthy!