Pneumonia is thus, an infection that inflicts the lungs. This ailment can range in its seriousness from a mild attack to possibly life-threatening. This disease is caused when the patient produces an excess of phlegm and mucous which is frequently coughed up in order to clear the stricken passageways. It is a respiratory condition and often spreads from one lung to the other. The major Causes of Pneumonia are the infection from various types of viruses and bacteria.
The microorganism such as streptococcus, staphylococcus and pneunococcus cause pneumonia. Other causes of this disease include fungal infection, irritation by worms, inhaling foreign matter, irritant dust or noxious gases and vapors such as ammonia, nitrogen dioxide or cadmium. However, the actual cause of pneumonia is the toxic condition of the body, especially of the lungs and air passages that results from faulty eating and life style. Persons with healthy tissues and strong vital force are unlikely to catch pneumonia. It is only when the system is clogged with toxic matter and the vitality is low that the germs of pneumonia invade a person. Pneumonia can be diagnosed on the basis of investigations such as chest X-ray and blood tests.
Symptoms of Pneumonia can be identified when a person suffers from coldness in the head or the throat. He also starts shivering, has difficulty in breathing, has sharp pain in the chest, followed by a cough with pinkish sputum, which may later become brownish. However, in some cases, the sputum may turn into rusty colour in severe cases of pneumonia. Fever and headache are also very common symptoms. The disease may cause delirium and convulsions in most cases involving young children. Most patients feel very miserable and sweat profusely. The temperature may rise to 105 Fahrenheit and pulse may go upto 150 beats per minute. Treatment of Pneumonia consists of oral antibiotics, rest, fluids, and home care. Nature cure, fresh fruit diet, homeopathy as well as ayurveda. 
Types
Numerous types of Pneumonia are distinguished depending on the causes and symptoms. The most important types are categorized according to the infections caused. Pneumonia is the result of effect of microorganisms such as bacteria, virus and fungi. Pneumonia is a common illness which occurs in any age. Most of the types of pneumonia are chronicle. However, vaccines are available for to prevent certain types of pneumonia. The diagnosis depends on the type of pneumonia and appropriate treatment is rendered. Pneumonia is classified in several ways mostly according to the anatomic changes that were found in the lungs during autopsies, a radiological. Thus the classification resulted into the types such as: Bacterial pneumonia, Fungal Pneumonia, Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and viral pneumonia.
Bacterial pneumonia is one of the major types of Pneumonia which is caused by various bacteria. It is associated with bacterial infection in a human body. This type is further classified into Streptococcus pneumonia, atypical and gram negative bacteria. The Streptococcus pneumonia is the most common bacterium that causes bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is effects an individual when the body is weakened in certain ways, such as illness, malnutrition, old age, or impaired immunity. All these factors lead the bacteria to work their way into the lungs. This type of pneumonia can affect any individual but mostly those who abuse alcohol, who are debilitated, post-operative patients or suffering with respiratory diseases or viral infections. Persons with weakened immune systems also come under the bout of bacterial pneumonia.
Among the different types of Pneumonia, there is viral pneumonia. This kind of pneumonia mostly affects young children. The Viral pneumonia is caused by various viruses. Viral pneumonia feature fever, non productive cough, rhinitis, headache or myalgia. Viral pneumonias make a person vulnerable to bacterial pneumonia also. Mycoplasma pneumonia is yet another diverse type of pneumonia and portrays different symptoms and physical signs. This kind of pneumonia is caused by mycoplasmas. These are the micro organisms which are free-living agents of disease in humankind,. These micro organisms have the characteristics of both bacteria and viruses. Mycoplasma pneumonia mostly affects younger people and may be associated with symptoms outside of the lungs (such as anemia and rashes). Chlamydophila pneumonia occurs usually with a low mortality rate. Atypical pneumonia is caused due to LegionElla and has a higher mortality rate. These pneumonia attacks elderly individuals, smokers, and people with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems.
Among the various types of Pneumonia, Aspiration pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes caused by inhaling foreign material, usually food, drink, vomit, or secretions from the mouth into the lungs. Aspiration of foreign material into the lung can be a result of disorders that affect normal swallowing, disorders of the esophagus, or decreased or absent gag reflex. This is a kind of pneumonia which is common in individuals with old age, dental problems, use of sedative drugs, anesthesia, coma, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Atypical pneumonia is among those types of Pneumonia that refers to pneumonia caused by certain bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Various factors result in the occurrence of CMV pneumonia. However, the most common factor responsible for the CMV disease is a common complication of organ transplantation. This occurs mainly due to bone marrow transplantation. CMV pneumonia is often present simultaneously with pneumocystis pneumonia.
There are other types of Pneumonia, such as Hospital-acquired pneumonia which is an infection of the lungs contracted during a hospital stay. It is caused by many different organisms. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is likely to be more serious because defense mechanisms against infection are often impaired during a hospital stay. Hospital-acquired pneumonia mostly affect people who are alcoholic, attained older age, experience immuno suppression from medications or diseases, recent illness, and risk of aspiration. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is another serious illness. It is caused by the typical bacterial pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. CAP is caused by unusual aerobic gram-negative bacilli. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which is caused by the fungus Pneumocystis carinii. PCP is a pneumonia caused by the fungal organism Pneumocystis carinii. Pneumocystis carinii leads to a lung infection. Individuals who suffer from advanced AIDS are affected by this pneumonia.
Legionnaire`s disease is an acute respiratory infection which is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. This kind of disease can result in a wide spectrum of disease from mild cough and fever to a serious pneumonia. The bacteria that cause Legionnaire`s disease are found in water delivery systems and survive in the warm, moist, air conditioning systems of large buildings including hospitals. This infection is transmitted through the respiratory system. It is a contagious disease as this disease spreads from Person-to-person. The onset of the disease portrays symptoms and the condition typically worsens during the first four to six days. Most infection occurs in middle-aged or older people, although it has been reported in children. People who are at risk for more pneumonia are typically those who have impaired immune systems. Individuals suffering from HIV, transplant patients, young children, the elderly, and people taking medications to suppress their immune systems in the treatment of autoimmune disorders are mostly affected by pneumonia.
Cause
The major causes of Pneumonia are said to be viruses, bacteria and in rare cases parasites or other micro organisms. However, medical tests have diagnosed particular causes for diverse age group. In adults, pneumonia is most primarily caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Legionella. Legionella bacteria are also responsible for causing a disease called Legionnaires` disease. Pneumonia in an immunocompromised malady and is associated with lung infection. This ailment occurs in a person who experiences significantly impaired infection-fighting mechanisms. This makes the persons more susceptible to infections by microorganisms that are present everywhere. Furthermore, immunosuppression is a result of HIV infection, leukemia, organ transplantation, bone marrow transplant, and medications to treat cancer.
In addition to that young children develop pneumonia from exposure to a virus that includes the parainfluenza and influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus. Furthermore, chickenpox virus can also cause pneumonia in adults and children. Mycoplasma pneumonia is the cause of walking pneumonia which can occur in children as well as adults. The other major causes of Pneumonia can be Chlamydia psittaci which is found in bird droppings, specifically poultry. Pneumocystis carinii, is a parasite and a fungi which causes pneumonia in people with compromised immune systems, such as those with AIDS or patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Causes of Pneumonia are brilliantly described in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda the lung is a kapha region of the body. It is a major organ vital to the continued running of the body and well-being of the person. Pneumonia occurs when there is a collision course between the kapha and the element of air (vita) in the Ayurvedic cosmosology. The elements in this collision result in an occurrence of trauma in the affected area and leads to the spread of infection and disease.
A wide spectrum of causes of Pneumonia is underlined. However, all reasons of pneumonia fall under two broad categories: infective pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia. Infective pneumonia includes inflammation and infection of the lungs and bronchial tubes that occurs when a bacteria (bacterial pneumonia) or virus (viral pneumonia) gets into the lungs and begins reproducing. Whereas, Aspiration pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes that is caused by inhaling vomit, mucous, or other bodily fluids. Aspiration pneumonia can be a result of inhaling certain chemicals. Pneumonia usually develops in a person when he inhales infected air particles into the lungs. Although, healthy lungs do not have any type of bacteria or virus because the body develops immunity to protect the lungs. Yet, these defend mechanisms can be besieged by exposure to a large number of the organisms causing pneumonia.
Other varied causes of pneumonia develop during or after a viral upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu. Pneumonia also occurs as a complication of a viral illness such as measles or chickenpox. This disease can affect a person in most cases by breathing in small droplets so as to contain the bacteria or virus that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses which are normally found in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung. Individuals who suffer from emphysema, heart disease, and swallowing problems, as well as who are alcoholics, drug users and have suffered stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia.
The moment, the bacteria, virus or fungus have entered the lungs, they settle in the air sacs of the lung rapidly and multiply. This area of the lung then is filled with fluid and pus as the body attempts to fight off the infection. Respiratory viruses are thus the most common causes of pneumonia in young children, who are between the ages of 2 and 3. Other causes of pneumonia can develop while admitted in a hospital. There lies a greater possibility of infection with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Even though most of the cases of pneumonia are results of a viral or bacterial infection, yet the disease is also caused by the obstruction of the bronchial tubes. The objects such as tumors, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys in the bronchial tubes can trap bacteria, viruses or fungi resulting in pneumonia. Pneumonia is a disorder that is the consequence of contract with the pneumonia causing viruses and bacteria. This disease is spread all over through coughs and sneezes, sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils with an infected person, and contact with used tissues or handkerchiefs.
Symptoms
Pneumonia is a disease which is usually difficult to identify. The symptoms of pneumonia depend largely on the age of child and the signs are recognized according to the cause of his infection. Adequate diagnosis leads to the classification of the ailment of Pneumonia. The foremost indication of the person suffering from Pneumonia will expose a cough producing greenish or yellow sputum, or phlegm and a high fever accompanied by shaking chills. Other principal symptom of the illness is shortness of breath which is also quite common sign among the persons suffering from pneumonia. Several common indications include pleuritic chest pain, a sharp or stabbing pain, either experienced during deep breaths or coughs or worsened by them.
Symptoms of pneumonia include coughing of blood, headaches, or develop sweaty and clammy skin. Other possible symptoms can be loss of appetite, fatigue, blueness of the skin, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, and joint pains or muscle aches. Diverse forms of signs and symptoms develop in a person suffering from pneumonia. The indication also takes in abdominal pain and diarrhea. In certain cases of pneumonia those which are caused by tuberculosis or Pneumocystis can also lead to weight loss and night sweats. In elderly people appearance of pneumonia is quite common. Infants also feature similar symptoms as adults or remain simply sleepy and have a decreased appetite.
Among the primary symptoms of pneumonia, the pulse is rapid, and breathing becomes shallow and painful. In addition to that shortness of breath and chest pain happens because the oxygen is not able to reach the blood properly due to inflamed lungs. Furthermore, coughs usually bring up mucus, also called sputum. The sputum may be dotted with blood or pus. Lack of oxygen makes the patients appear blue. Varied symptoms can also be detected such as tachypnea and crackles with bronchial breath sounds. Different types of pneumonia have dissimilar aspects and symptoms. People suffering from bacterial pneumonia usually start showing symptoms suddenly and often develop during or after an upper respiratory infection, for example, influenza or a cold
Symptoms of pneumonia caused by virus are often less obvious, less severe, and come on gradually. The ailment, viral pneumonia remains unrecognized because the person may not appear very ill. Bacteroides is an anaerobic bacterium which causes Pneumonia and produces dangerous abscesses in the lungs. Patients who are affected by these bacteria have prolonged fever and productive cough, frequently showing blood in the sputum.
However, the symptoms of pneumonia at times are quite dissimilar. When the pneumonia is caused in the lower part of the lungs near the abdomen, there are no breathing problems, but there may be fever and abdominal pain or vomiting. In infants, pneumonia caused due to chlamydia produces symptoms such as conjunctivitis (pinkeye) with only mild illness and no fever. Pneumonia affects an individual due to whooping cough (pertussis) also. The child have long coughing spells, turn blue from lack of air, or make a classic "whoop" sound when trying to take a breath.
Thus the typical symptoms of pneumonia can be highlighted as:
| fever | vomiting |
| chills | chest pain |
| cough | abdominal pain |
| unusually rapid breathing | decreased activity |
| breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds | loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants) |
| labored breathing that makes a child`s rib muscles retract (when muscles under the rib cage or between ribs draw inward with each breath) | in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails |
Treatment
The disease pneumonia is caused by several factors. It is mainly an ailment which is the result of infection of the micro organisms such as bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites. Treatments of pneumonia begin after proper diagnosis. The disease is treated depending on the cause and severity of it. The foremost medication for curing pneumonia is antibiotics. However, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia but are not effective against viral pneumonia. Furthermore, most cases of pneumonia are treated without hospitalization. Normally, besides antibiotics, other treatment prescribed as a remedial measure for pneumonia includes rest, fluids, and home care. On the other hand if the symptoms of the persons suffering from pneumonia get worse, they are taken for advanced treatment.
The antibiotic is chosen depending on the type of the pneumonia. Treatment for pneumonia should ideally be based on the causative microorganism and its known antibiotic sensitivity. Antibiotics which are provided for hospital-acquired pneumonia include vancomycin, cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. These antibiotics are given intravenously. In addition to that people suffering from pneumonia are also given certain advanced treatment when the case becomes serious. People with difficulty in breathing due to pneumonia require extra oxygen. Extremely sick individuals may require intensive care treatment, often including intubation and artificial ventilation.
The typical symptoms associated with pneumonia are cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing. Diagnosis is performed through x-rays and examination of the sputum. Thus, the treatment of pneumonia depends on the cause of the disease. The infective pneumonia such as bacterial pneumonia and viral pneumonias include treatment that contains medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen which help control pain and fever. Other treatments can be use of a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer to increase air moisture and to make it easier to breathe. Rest is one of the significant treatments for curing pneumonia. Rest in bed until body core temperature returns to normal (98.6 degrees F or 37 degrees C) and chest pains and breathing problems cures is recommended. In addition to that drinking six to eight glasses of liquids daily to help keep mucous thin and easy to cough up are also advised for the patient.
Furthermore, viral pneumonia caused by influenza is treated with rimantadine or amantadine. Viral pneumonia is mainly the result of influenza A or B which may be treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir. Other effective treatments for viral pneumonias include the SARS coronavirus, adenovirus, Hantavirus, or parainfluenza virus. Nevertheless, treatments for aspiration pneumonia are to rectify breathing support. A breathing tube called an endotracheal tube is placed within the trachea to maintain an open airway and allow assisted breathing. Antibiotics are also given only if a secondary lung infection is seen.
Alternative Treatments of pneumonia has also played significant role in curing the disease. Pneumonia treated by nature cure has proved to be beneficial. The patient is advised to be on a diet of raw juices for five to ten days, depending on the severity of the disease. In this regimen, he is recommended to take a glass of fruit juice like orange, sweet lime, apple, pineapple, grapes or vegetable juice like carrots and tomatoes diluted with warm water every two or three hours. After a diet of raw juices, when the fever subsides, the patient should spend three or four further days on an exclusive fresh fruit diet, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits such as apple, grapes, pineapple, mangoes, orange, lemon and papaya. Thereafter, he may gradually adopt a well-balanced diet of natural foods consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits with emphasis on fresh fruits and raw vegetables. However, the patient should avoid strong tea, coffee, refined foods, fried foods, white sugar, white flour and all products made from them, condiments and pickles. He should also avoid all meats as well as alcoholic beverages and smoking. The patient should be given warm water enema daily to cleanse the bowels during the period of raw juice therapy and all fruit diet. Sipping of cold water has also been found beneficial in the treatment of pneumonia. The patient should sip cold water at short intervals so long as the fever continues.
Home Remedies also is useful as among the treatments of pneumonia. During the early acute stage of this disease, herbal tea at least four cups, daily made from fenugreek seeds will help the body to produce perspiration, dispel toxicity and shorten the period of fever. The quantity should be reduced as condition improves. To improve flavour, a few drops of lemon juice can be used. During this treatment, no other food or nourishment should be taken, as fasting and fenugreek will allow the body to correct these respiratory problems in a few days. The recommended Ayurvedic treatment for pneumonia includes the intake of the Ayurvedic Medicine with ingredients Shringa bhasma, Rasa Sindoor and Shirngrabhra, Narsar. Garlic is also a good remedy for pneumonia, prescribed in Ayurveda. But it is recommended use in sufficient quantities. It brings down the temperature as well as the pulse and respiration within 48 hours. Garlic juice can also be applied externally to the chest with beneficial results, as it is an irritant.
Sesame seeds are valuable in pneumonia. An infusion of the seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt and a dessertspoon of honey, should be given in the treatment of this disease. This will help remove waste matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes. Even rubbing oil of turpentine over the rib cage and wrapping warmed cotton wool over it can relieve the pain of pneumonia. The juice of Tulsi leaves to which a pinch of powdered black pepper has been added should be drunk four times a day. This will is beneficial for pneumonia.
Pneumonia can be prevented in several ways. The foremost factors which can avert the disease include a good healthy all round diet. The next step is considered to be ceasing the consumption of tobacco smoking to fight the infection. Other common methods of avoiding the disease include washing of hands before eating and after going outside, washing helps killing the cold viruses. In addition to that deep-breathing exercises and therapy to clear secretions also help preventing pneumonia in people at high risk.
An Article Submitted By:-
Dr. Viney Pushkarna,
Founder & Director Of PRANA
Email (O):- prana@consultant.com
Email (P):- viney@doctor.com
Mobile:- +91-99149-12966
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