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Pneumonia: Overview
Even today, with all of our technology and our advances in
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medications
and antibiotics, more than 60,000 people die due to pneumonia every year.
Pneumonia is
an inflammation of the lung that is normally caused by any number of types
of infections, including bacteria, virus, fungi or potentially other
organisms.
We consider
this lung disease a particular threat to older people and those with chronic
diseases. And in the United
States that’s very true. However,
pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children globally.
Don’t think
for a moment that all pneumonia is created equal.
There are several types. Depending on which form you acquire the
actual symptoms can range from merely mild to life threatening.
One of the most virulent forms is pneumonia that you develop while
you’re in the hospital. It
can also be one of the deadliest forms as well.
Many cases of
pneumonia occur suddenly. It
may seem that the chest pain, fever, chills as well as the cough and
shortness of breath associated with this illness appear out of nowhere. Many individuals develop pneumonia as a complication of a
cold or the flu. But for many
others, the symptoms of this lung disease appear on its own.
Most
antibiotics do a good job of treating the most common forms of bacterial
pneumonias. However, there is a
concern over the growing predominance of an antibiotic-resistant strain.
Because
pneumonia is potentially fatal, you need to seek out professional medical
care should you think you may have it.
This is especially good advice for an older individual or someone who
is at high risk. Those who use
tobacco, who drink alcohol excessively, or are on chemotherapy, are
particularly vulnerable to this illness.
Who is really
at risk of developing pneumonia? This
illness seems to like to strike the two ends of the age spectrum.
Those who are 65 or older are at particular risk.
Children whose immune systems have not yet totally matured are also
more susceptible to developing this illness.
Those
individuals who have any type of immune deficiency disease – like HIV/ADIS
or choric illnesses, like cardiovascular disease, emphysema and diabetes are
also at increased risk. If
you’ve had a spleen removed, you’re also at a greater risk of acquiring
pneumonia.
Those who
smoke or abuse alcohol are also particularly vulnerable to this illness.
There are literally million of microscopic hairs – called cilia –
that cover the surface of the cells which line your bronchial tubes.
These hairs beat in a wave-like fashion in order to clear your
airways of normal
Note: Some statements in this article may not be
approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and
should not be taken as professional medical advice.
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