Pneumonia belongs to a group of inflammatory diseases of the lungs of an infectious nature. Pathogens can be viruses, fungi, staphylococci, pneumococci, Legionella and protozoa. About one in 12 people on earth is diagnosed with a similar condition.
Important facts about pneumonia that patients should know:
- the disease in children under 5 years of age in 15% of cases ends in death, which is most often associated with untimely treatment in medical institutions;
- you can prevent the disease by eliminating negative environmental factors, improving the quality of food, increasing immunity;
- the disease provoked by bacteria is treated with antibiotics. Note that only 1/3 of all patients take what is really necessary for the cure, the other 2/3 doctors prescribe ineffective means.
Healthy lungs, when inhaled, deliver air to the alveoli (small sacs) and saturate the cells with oxygen. In one form of acute respiratory infection, the flow of the required amount of oxygen is limited, since the alveoli are filled with fluid and pus.
Content:
- Symptoms of pneumonia: first signs
- Diagnosis of diseases
- Treatment as prescribed by a doctor
- Prevention of pneumonia: strengthen the immune system
- What kind of doctor treats pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumonia: first signs
The disease can develop gradually and suddenly, which makes it difficult to establish a diagnosis. In patients, intoxication is observed, accompanied by an increase in temperature to 38 degrees or more with a combination of headache, fatigue and muscle pain, decreased appetite and sweating. There are also a number of complaints about the lungs:
- increased cough-the first days are dry, after which it passes into another form with a characteristic sputum discharge (rusty color indicates its staining by red blood cells). Remember that it includes both atypical and other forms;
- chest pain-is not observed in every case, because this phenomenon is possible in the presence of inflammation of the pleura, which provokes pain when coughing and deep breathing;
- shortness of breath-in a simple form appears when walking, climbing to a high floor on the stairs, in heavy — even at rest.
Respiratory failure is manifested in the form of shortness of breath (more often in bilateral form) and blue skin in the area of the lips and nose. Shortness of breath is due to the receipt of a small amount of oxygen.
Diagnosis of diseases
To determine the diagnosis, the lungs are tapped and tapped. It is mandatory to check the chest organs on radiography. In some cases, bronchoscopy is necessary. The diagnosis is made only by the attending physician after studying all the results: blood analysis, sputum for the presence of bacteria, biopsy. Self-diagnosis is contraindicated and can lead to fatal consequences.
Treatment as prescribed by a doctor
The most important thing in the treatment of pneumonia is etiotropic therapy, which is aimed exclusively at the causative agent of the disease. Depending on the form of the disease, the doctor prescribes medications, in most cases they have a wide range of actions. The severity of the disease tells the technician what kind of group you want to select (ingestion, intravenous or intramuscular). Taking drugs depending on the form of the disease:
- easy-prescribe tablet or intramuscular medication. You can undergo treatment at home, under the supervision of a doctor;
- severe — in this case, the patient is prescribed antibiotics and relies only on the hospital. The drug will be administered intramuscularly or intravenously.
The period of treatment is determined by the doctor and is not less than seven days. As a Supplement to antibiotics, symptoms (expectorants, antipyretics), bronchodilators and cardiovascular agents are prescribed.
During treatment, bed rest should be observed. The daily diet excludes fried, too salty and sweet. It is necessary to drink as much water as possible (the recommended rate of 1.5 liters per day). Do not forget about regular wet cleaning and fresh air supply to the room.
Prevention of pneumonia: strengthen the immune system
To date, the only effective type of prevention from pneumonia can be called vaccination. A common pathogen of lung tissue is pneumococcus, so the most popular vaccine warns against this cause of the disease. But this is not a magic drug that will eliminate the need to adhere to other rules. It is necessary to eat properly, do not abuse alcohol and do not expose yourself to other risk factors that can provoke the development of inflammation. Also, do not delay the treatment of influenza and SARS, because they can develop into more severe forms, and as a result, the patient gets pneumonia.
What doctor treats pneumonia: we turn to the right specialist!
Only a therapist and a pulmonologist can make an accurate diagnosis. After passing all tests and other procedures, the patient is examined and prescribed a course of treatment. Prescribe antibiotics and other drugs should be a pediatrician and therapist, who assesses the situation and prescribes an individual treatment program. During the illness, the doctor monitors the patient’s condition and, if necessary, makes adjustments to the program.
You can get advice from a qualified therapist in the medical clinic “BIOS”. Ask for help from our specialists at the first symptoms of pneumonia, and soon you will be able to breathe fully!