Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the
air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus
(purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and
difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and
fungi, can cause pneumonia.
Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild
to life-threatening it is most serious for infants and young children, people
older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from
mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the
infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are
similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
- Fever, sweating and shaking chills
- Cough, which may produce phlegm
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Newborns and infants may not show any sign of
the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or
tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating.
People older than age 65 and people in poor
health or with a weakened immune system may have a lower than normal body
temperature. Older people who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in
mental awareness.
Causes
Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most
common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Your body usually
prevents these germs from infecting your lungs. But sometimes these germs can
overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good.
Pneumonia is classified according to the
types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection.
Community-acquired
pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia is the most
common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care
facilities. It may be caused by:
- Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia
in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur
on its own or after you've had a cold or the flu. It may affect one part
(lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia.
- Bacteria-like organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause
pneumonia. It typically produces milder symptoms than do other types of
pneumonia. Walking pneumonia, a term used to describe pneumonia that isn't
severe enough to require bed rest, may be caused by M. pneumoniae.
- Viruses. Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause
pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children
younger than 5 years. Viral pneumonia is usually mild. But in some cases
it can become very serious.
- Fungi. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health
problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large
doses of the organisms. The fungi that cause it can be found in soil or
bird droppings.
Hospital-acquired
pneumonia
Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital
stay for another illness. This type of pneumonia can be serious because the
bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics. People who are on
breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at
higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
Health
care-acquired pneumonia
Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial
infection that occurs in people who are living in long-term care facilities or
have been treated in outpatient clinics, including kidney dialysis centers.
Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, health care-acquired pneumonia can be caused
by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.
Aspiration
pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale
food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if
something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing
problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
Remedies
for Pneumonia
1.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne
pepper helps the body release mucus from the respiratory tract, which makes it
easier for the patient to breathe. Fill a jug with 250ml of water,
add 1 tsp of lemon juice and sprinkle a little cayenne pepper. Drink the water,
at least, 4 to 5 times every day.
2. Carrot
Juice
In a juicer,
make some carrot juice of about 3-4 carrots. Sprinkle some cayenne pepper.
3.
Fenugreek Tea
Fenugreek helps
remove toxins from the body through perspiration. It also helps clear any
congestion in the chest. Take 500ml of water in a pan and combine one
teaspoon full of fenugreek seeds. Bring it to a boil and strain. Add
about one teaspoon of lemon juice and drink minimum four cups in a day.
4. Garlic
Garlic is very
hot for the body and, therefore, helps reduce the body temperature. Whilst it
may leave you with a bad breath, it will help clear the chest and lungs.
- Make a paste of a few cloves of garlic
and rub it on your feet before going to bed. Put on your socks and go to
sleep.
- Blend milk and water in the ratio 1:4
and blend 1½ teaspoons of garlic paste. Boil till it reduces to ¼. Have
this drink 3 times a day; continue consuming it till you feel better.
- You can also have it in the form of
sweet and sour chutney. Crush some cloves of garlic, and mix 1 teaspoon of
lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey to it, then stir well. Have a teaspoon, at
least, 4 times every day.
5. Steam
Bath
Take a steam
bath. Fill a bucket of water with some hot water and put in a few drops of any
essential oil that you may have around the house such as tea tree, lavender,
camphor or eucalyptus. Close the bathroom door and inhale the vapors or the
steam, by covering your head with a towel, as you sit near the bucket of water
with your head leant about it.
6. Sesame
Seeds
This kitchen
essential can work miracles. Put in a tablespoon of sesame seeds to a cup of
boiling water. Once they are soft, add one tablespoon of flax seeds and boil
for another 5 minutes or so. Strain the water. Combine a pinch of salt and a
teaspoon of honey, for better taste. Drink this every morning, on an empty
stomach.
7. Salt
Water
Gargle with
salt water, at least, 3 times a day. It will help clear the respiratory tract
and clear your chest off any cough.
8.
Vegetable Juice
Vegetables
such as cucumbers, beets, carrots and spinach help boost the immune system and
are good detoxification agents.
- Mix up together in the ratio 1:1:3
cucumber juice, beet juice and carrot juice. Drink this daily on an empty
stomach.
- Mix spinach juice with carrot juice as
per the taste you prefer and have this mixture several times a day to
clear the bronchial system.
9. Black
Tea
Make a cup
of black tea, combine in 3 teaspoons of fenugreek seed powder and 1
teaspoon of honey or sugar as per your taste. Mix well and drink this tea once
in a day.
10.
Ginger
Grate a
piece of ginger and extract its juice. Blend 1 teaspoon of honey and a few
drops of lemon juice in it. Have this every day before going to bed.
11.
Turpentine and Camphor Massage
Mix
turpentine oil and camphor in a bowl and apply it on your chest. Gently massage
the oil on the skin. Put on a sweater.
12.
Potassium Broth
Potassium is
good for people suffering from pneumonia, as it helps repairing the lungs
tissues. One must have as much potassium as possible during the entire spell of
pneumonia.
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 2 radish
- 2 large carrots
- 2 stalks of celery
- Parsley as per your desired taste
- 500ml water
Method
In a pot,
combine all the ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and
simmer for a few minutes. Strain the juice. Have the broth along with your
lunch.
Note- People
who suffer from a heart illness should avoid potassium, as high levels of
potassium in their bodies can lead to other complications.
13.
Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oil Chest Rub and Heat Pack
Mix 20 drops
of either Eucalyptus or tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil. Rub
it on your chest at night before going to sleep. You can adjust the quantity of
the oils, if you want to make more quantities of the chest rub.
- To make a heat pack, heat an oven at
low temperature. Moisten a cotton cloth with any carrier oil and place it
in the oven to warm it up. Once it is warm enough remove from oven and
pour on the cloth a few drops of either eucalyptus or tea tree oil. With
gentle hands, rub the cloth, so the oils are distributed equally on the
entire cloth. Now place the cloth on your chest as you lie down flat on
your back. Put a hot water bag on top of the cloth and stay in this
position for a minimum of half an hour. Repeat 2-3 times in a day for
better results.
14.
Baking Soda
Baking soda
helps remove toxins from the body. Mix ¼ tsp of baking soda to 300ml of warm
water and drink two times in a day.
15. Parsnip
Juice
Parsnips
contain many vitamins and are high in potassium, which is ideal for treating
pneumonia. Drink a glass of freshly made parsnip juice every day.
16. Lemon
Juice
Lemons are
known for their antibacterial properties, as they are rich in Vitamin C. They
help reduce the body temperature and boost the immune system. Get juice of half
a lemon and mix it in a glass of warm water. Sprinkle a pinch of rock salt and
drink this juice every day.
REMEMBER
Pneumonia
can affect anyone. But the two age groups at highest risk are:
- Children who are 2 years old or younger
developing
- People who are age 65 or older
Other risk
factors include:
- Chronic disease. You're more likely to get pneumonia if you
have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease.
- Weakened or suppressed immune system. People who have HIV/AIDS,
who've had an organ transplant, or who receive chemotherapy or long-term
steroids are at risk.
- Smoking. Smoking damages your body's natural defenses against
the bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia.
- Being hospitalized. You're at greater risk of pneumonia if you're in a hospital intensive care unit, especially if you're on a machine that helps you breathe (a ventilator).