Pneumonia is an extremely common and rather dangerous disease. This disease affects all categories of the population, regardless of gender and age. That is why the questions about how to treat pneumonia and whether it is possible to carry out therapy at home are so important.
Why does pneumonia occur?
It's no secret that usually inflammation is the result of an infectious lesion of the body. The most common cause of pneumonia is bacteria, although the disease is often associated with viruses and even fungal microorganisms. Of course, the infection can enter from the outside through the upper respiratory tract. Nevertheless, pneumonia is often the result of a decrease in the activity of the immune system, as a result of which there is an increased reproduction of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.
How to recognize pneumonia?
In fact, the symptoms that accompany pneumonia are far from always specific. A similar clinical picture can also be observed with colds or bronchitis. That is why before understanding how to treat pneumonia, it is worth learning more about the main signs of the disease.
- Of course, one of the symptoms of pneumonia is a severe cough.
- In addition, the disease is accompanied by distinct chest pains, which intensify during coughing.
- One of the characteristic signs of the disease is also constant severe shortness of breath.
- In addition, the inflammatory process is accompanied by a significant increase in body temperature, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness and other symptoms of intoxication. And if with bronchitis and colds the fever lasts only a few days, then with pneumonia, such a deterioration in well-being can be present much longer.
With these symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Only a specialist knows how to treat pneumonia. In addition, to begin with, it is necessary to make the correct diagnosis, and without examination, auscultation and X-ray examination of the lungs, it is almost impossible to do.
How is pneumonia treated?
In fact, the treatment regimen depends on the severity of the patient's condition, as well as on the nature of the pathogen. It is immediately worth noting that during treatment, bed rest and rest are required. But hospitalization of the patient is required only in 20% of cases - most often treatment is quite possible at home.
To begin with, the doctor prescribes symptomatic treatment. In particular, it is necessary to take mucolytic drugs that facilitate the discharge of sputum and relieve the patient from attacks of suffocating dry cough. Antipyretic drugs are necessary only in case of severe fever.
It's no secret that the disease is treated with antibiotics. However, this remedy for pneumonia is advisable only if the causative agent is bacteria. The schedule of administration and the duration of the course of taking such drugs are determined individually.
The nutrition and drinking regimen of the patient is extremely important. Food should be high-calorie, but at the same time easy to digest. Experts recommend enriching the patient’s diet with fresh vegetable salads and fruits, since the vitamins present in them strengthen the immune system and accelerate the healing process. The patient needs to drink at least three liters of fluid per day - this provides protection against dehydration, speeds up the elimination of toxins from the body, and also facilitates the discharge of sputum.
Treatment for inflammation usually lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.