Pneumonia is a severe respiratory infection that causes inflammation of the alveoli in one or both lungs. As a result, the alveoli (air sacs) can fill with fluid or pus, causing a cough with mucus or pus, usually followed by fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Various bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause pneumonia. You will also find the article on lung cancer, pleurisy, and asthma very helpful.

 

PNEUMONIA: Pneumonia Symptoms | Consult a doctor | Causes of Pneumonia | Diagnostic procedures | Treatment | Conventional Medicine | Alternative Medicine | Nutrition | Treatment at home | Questions and Answers | Sources/references

LUNG CANCER: Symptoms of lung cancer | Consult with a doctor | Causes of lung cancer | Treatment | Conventional Medicine | Complementary treatment | Prevention | Questions, and Answers | Sources/references

PLEURITIS: Symptoms of Pleurisy | Consult with a doctor | Causes of Pleurisy | Treatment | Diagnostic procedures | Conventional medicine | Alternative Treatment | Questions and Answers | Sources/references

ASTHMA: More is available at the link. More about Asthma

 

Pneumonia is a lung inflammation caused by various viral and bacterial infections or chemical factors. The lungs respond by accumulating fluid and cells that migrate from the damaged tissue. If the inflammation is limited to one lung lobe, it is defined as lobular (lobar) pneumonia; a rash that spreads from the trachea to other parts of one or both lung wings is called bronchopneumonia. If both lungs are inflamed, the condition is called bilateral pneumonia. Pneumonia usually lasts about two weeks, depending on your overall health, although you may feel exhausted for a month or more after recovery.

Picture: pneumonia - a challenging disease.

Viral pneumonia is usually mild. After the doctor has made a diagnosis, you can be treated at home.

Bacterial pneumonia is more complicated and dangerous. Until the discovery of antibiotics, patients often died; it is still difficult today, especially for the elderly.

In 1976, 29 people died in the United States from Legionnaires disease before it was recognized and treated as bacterial pneumonia. Among many other forms of pneumonia, we should mention atypical pneumonia, which is most common in children and young adults.

Pneumonia symptoms - signs

• a combination of fever and chills, muscle aches, fatigue, enlarged neck lymph nodes, chest pain, inflamed throat, and cough is characteristic of viral pneumonia.

• A combination of high fever, cough with thick yellow-green sputum that may contain blood, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, abdominal pain, and severe fatigue is a symptom of bacterial pneumonia.

Video content: Pneumonia - symptoms, and diagnostics

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, and cough with sputum - perhaps after a period of unconsciousness - may be signs of aspiration pneumonia.

• In children, the main signs of pneumonia are: labored and rapid breathing (more than 45 breaths per minute), sudden fever, cough, wheezing, and bluish skin.

Consult your doctor if:

• Symptoms indicate that you have any form of pneumonia. It would be best if you had immediate treatment to help you recover and avoid complications,

• After the diagnosis and prescribed treatment, the sharp pain in the chest does not improve; you are breathing harder and harder; nails or skin darken or turn bluish.
  Not enough oxygen is being exchanged in the lungs, and you need medical help,

• you cough up blood, you may need additional treatment because the infection has worsened.

Pneumonia is often a complication of other diseases and can be transmitted from person to person, like a cold or flu. Patients who are hospitalized for other problems can develop bacterial pneumonia that is resistant to standard antibiotic treatment. Bacterial pneumonia outside hospitals is usually less severe and responds well to antibiotics.

CAUSES

Many common viruses cause viral pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumonia most often causes bacterial pneumonia, also called pneumococcus. The bacterium Hemophilus influenza causes pneumonia, which develops as a complication of influenza. Pneumonia is again increasingly the result of infection with tuberculosis bacteria. Legionella bacteria cause Legionnaires' disease. These m-like pneumonia are transmitted by infected water, MDR. from hot water taps and ventilation devices.

Video content: causes of pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when bacteria from the mouth or stomach enter the lungs, usually during sleep, unconsciousness, or an epileptic seizure. These bacteria are typically found in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy people. A small amount of inhaled mucus is harmless to most people, but it can cause pneumonia in alcoholics or other people with weakened immune systems. Bacteria also enter the lungs due to accidental inhalation of vomited contents, usually during unconsciousness.

Pneumocystis pneumonia develops when the body's immune defenses are depleted due to AIDS, Hodgkin's disease, or other conditions that impair the immune system. In more than half of AIDS patients, it develops as a secondary infection, but there is an effective treatment.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Pneumonia can range from a mild condition that can be treated at home to a life-threatening infection that requires hospital treatment. Therefore, you need a professional diagnosis to ensure proper treatment and successful recovery.

The doctor will first listen to the chest for unusual crackles and palpate it for murmurs that indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs. Then, if necessary, he can confirm the diagnosis with an X-ray, which shows where the lung's air sacs are, filled with fluid and cellular debris. Blood and sputum samples - sometimes obtained by inserting an instrument into the lungs through the trachea - can be tested for microorganisms, but the results are not always conclusive.

HEALING

The goal of treatment for all forms of pneumonia is a quick recovery because complications can develop if the disease persists for a long time. Bed rest is required for each treatment. Conventional medicine focuses on curing the infection, but alternative treatments can ease unpleasant symptoms.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

In most forms of pneumonia, the primary keys to recovery are bed rest and a "productive cough" - you need to cough up mucus and other fluid from the lungs.

Video content: treatment and prevention - pneumonia

You can usually recover at home if you have a mild form of viral pneumonia. To reduce fever and pain, take acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol, drink plenty of fluids and eat light food. If you have bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, e.g., penicillin or erythromycin. It would be best if you stayed in bed until the fever subsided and breathing became normal. If your lungs are heavily filled with fluid, you may need oxygen, or you may need to be put on a ventilator temporarily - so you need to be admitted to the hospital. Aspiration pneumonia almost always requires intravenous antibiotics and a more extended hospital stay. Pneumocystis pneumonia is treated with bed rest, antibiotics, pentamidine or sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and decongestants that reduce the amount of fluid in the lungs.

Vaccines are available for many types of bacterial pneumonia, and more are being developed. Pneumonia vaccination is recommended for everyone over 65, patients with chronic lung disease, sickle cell anemia, heart disease, alcoholics, patients with immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS, and those with their spleens damaged or removed. Vaccines are also available for some forms of influenza. But, again, they recommend them to older people.

The flu vaccine will protect you either from the disease itself or from developing a severe form that could cause complications such as pneumonia.

ALTERNATIVE MODES

Video content: 6 all-natural ways to treat toenail infections

If you have pneumonia, you can use many alternative medicines to ease your symptoms and speed up your recovery.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture on the lung meridian accelerates recovery by improving coughs and reducing fluid build-up in the lungs, improving your well-being and increasing energy levels. The key points are P7 to cough up material from the lungs, P5 to calm the cough, and P1 to remove fluid from the lungs. Depending on the course of the disease, the acupuncturist may also try to stimulate the immune system.

AROMATHERAPY

Recovery from pneumonia can be accelerated if you add eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lavender (Lavandula officinalis), tea tree (Melaleuca spp), or essential pine oils to a warm bath or inhaler. However, do not inhale the steam if you have asthma, as it can irritate the lungs.

WORK WITH THE BODY

When the fever is gone, massaging the upper back muscles can help reduce fluid build-up in the lungs. If you add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus) to the massage oil, the mucus in the lungs will soften and be excreted more easily.

HERBS

An essential part of the healing process is to clear the lungs of mucus, so traditional herbal expectorants help in recovery. Make your expectorant by mixing 60 g of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), 30 g of late sedum bark (Prunus serotina), 30 g of dogwood (Tussilago farfara), 4 g of lobelia (Lobelia inflata) and 30 g of black mint ( Marrubium vulgare).

Video content: 5 herbs for lung health

Boil one tablespoon of the mixture in a cup of water for 5 minutes; let it stand for 10 minutes, then strain it into a clean bowl. Adults should drink a cup every two hours. Lobelia can be poisonous, so never consume more than recommended. If you feel sick, stop consuming this mixture.

Never give it to children or pregnant women.

For pneumonia, they recommend boiling silkworm (Asclepias tuberosa). Boil one tablespoon of the herb in a cup of water for 10 minutes, let it stand for 5 minutes, and strain; drink four or five times a day.

You help the body overcome the infection if you eat raw garlic (Allium sativum) or take three capsules of garlic daily. Likewise, Echinacea (Echinacea spp) helps in recovery from illness. You can prepare it as a tea - 1 teaspoon in a cup of water - and consume it three times a day, take 30 drops of the tincture four times a day or take capsules according to the attached instructions.

HOMEOPATHY

Some recommended over-the-counter remedies are Bryonia, phosphorus, and Arsenicum album; adhere to the attached instructions.

NUTRITION

• Vitamin C helps a lot in the fight against infection, up to 1000 mg per hour if you start taking it within two days of the onset of the disease. If diarrhea occurs/ reduce the dose.
• Stimulate the respiratory and immune systems with 25,000 to 50,000 IU of vitamin A daily for no more than two weeks.
• Up to 60 mg daily, zinc supplements help the immune system fight infection.
• 600 IU of vitamin E per day works well on damaged lung tissue.
• If you are taking antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, take Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements in the form of capsules or cultures in yogurt to replace the beneficial gut bacteria.

HEALTH AT HOME

• You can reduce chest pain by applying warm compresses to your chest or back for 10 minutes several times a day. Wrap a heating pad or heating pad in a towel to prevent burns.

Video content: 3 simple home remedies for pneumonia

• Try traditional warm mustard compresses to soften mucus in the lungs. Mix dried ground mustard seeds with enough warm water to form a thick cream. Spread it on a thin cloth, fold it and place it on your chest for a few minutes, but don't overdo it: mustard causes blisters if left directly on the skin for too long.

• Drink plenty of fluids and fresh fruit and vegetable juices to dilute the secretions in the lungs and make it easier to cough them up.

LUNG CANCER

In its early stages, lung cancer usually does not cause any problems.

Image: the appearance of the initial focus of lung cancer

When symptoms appear, they are caused by airway obstruction or cancer spreading to other body parts.

SYMPTOMS

• chronic, dry, rough cough, sometimes with bloody sputum - t. i. smoker's cough;
• recurrent respiratory infections, e.g., bronchitis or pneumonia;
• difficulty breathing, wheezing while breathing, long-lasting chest pain; hoarseness;
• swelling of the neck or face;
• pain and weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand;
• if cancer has spread outside the lungs: weakness, fatigue, weight loss, loss of running, intermittent (intermittent) fever, severe headaches, and body aches.

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF

• you notice symptoms typical of lung cancer, especially a chronic cough, bloody sputum, wheezing, hoarseness, or recurrent respiratory infections. The doctors should thoroughly examine your respiratory system.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the Western world but is also the most preventable. At least 4 out of 5 cases are linked to smoking - a causal link has been proven.

In the 1920s, many men started smoking cigarettes, probably because of more excellent advertising. In twenty years, the incidence of lung cancer has skyrocketed. In the 1940s, significantly more women started smoking. Twenty years later, the incidence of lung cancer in women has risen similarly steeply.

A lung tumor almost always arises in the spongy, pinkish-gray walls of the trachea or bronchi - tubular, branched airways in the lungs. We distinguish more than 20 different types of malignant tumors originating from the lungs, i.e., i. primary lung cancers. The main types are small cell and non-small cell bronchial carcinoma. The more common types of non-small cell cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Video content: what is lung cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma usually arises in the cells of the central trachea, the most extensive branches of the bronchial branches. It is the most common type of lung cancer in men and smokers. It is easiest to detect it early because its cells can be found by examining sputum samples. At the same time, it also responds best to treatment because it spreads relatively slowly.

Adenocarcinoma - the most common type of cancer in women and non-smokers - usually arises on the periphery of the lungs in small bronchi or even smaller bronchioles. It often spreads into the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Due to the place of origin, it isn't easy to detect it early.

Large cell carcinomas are a group of cancers with large, abnormal-looking cells originating in the lungs' periphery. Among non-small cell bronchial carcinomas, they are the least common.

Small cell carcinoma is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. It is also called crab shadow because the cells look like oat grains under the microscope. Like squamous cell carcinoma, it arises in the central bronchi. However, it spreads quickly, usually before symptoms appear, which is very dangerous.

In the U.S., more than 170,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, most of them between the ages of 40 and 70. Only 1% of lung cancer patients are under 30, and only 10% are over 70. Five-year survival is improving - currently, 15% of lung cancer patients survive five years. The prediction of the course of the disease in an individual depends on the type of cancer, his general health, and the prevalence of cancer at the time of diagnosis.

CAUSES

As with cancer in general, susceptibility to lung cancer is influenced by genetics. The fact that lung cancer runs in some families suggests that the predisposition is inherited. In addition, certain genetic defects have been identified that make some people more sensitive to carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

Picture: the picture shows the causes that lead to the development of lung cancer.

However, anyone who smokes a pack of cigarettes daily is 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker. The risk triples for people who smoke more than two packs a day. If you stop smoking, you risk-

It reduces them significantly, but ex-smokers are still more sensitive than non-smokers. Passive smoking also causes lung cancer, so non-smokers who live or work with smokers have a slightly higher risk of developing lung cancer than those who live in a non-smoking environment.

Other carcinogens can also cause lung cancer if you inhale large amounts of them over time. However, experts have different opinions about how harmful exposure to particular carcinogens is.

Workers exposed daily to asbestos, silicon, mineral and coal dust, arsenic, or radioactive gas radon are more prone to developing lung cancer than the average individual, especially smokers.

The tumor prefers to arise in lung tissue in scars created after infections or diseases, e.g., tuberculosis or systemic sclerosis. Because lung cancer often occurs in people who eat a lot of fat and cholesterol, some researchers suspect that (Yes, diet also affects the risk of lung cancer.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

If a doctor finds enlarged lymph nodes above the collarbone or a mass in the abdomen during a routine examination, hears weak breathing or abnormal breath sounds in the lungs, or finds a murmur on chest palpation, he will suspect lung cancer. This is because, in some types of lung cancer, there are abnormally high concentrations of certain hormones or substances, such as calcium, in the blood.

The doctor suspects lung cancer if the patient has these symptoms and there is no other possible cause.
When the tumor starts to cause symptoms, it is usually already visible on an X-ray. However, cancer that has not yet begun to cause signs is sometimes discovered on an X-ray taken for other reasons. A computed tomography (C.T.) scan of the chest is performed for more detailed information.

Cancer cells can be detected by examination of sputum or lung lavage, and the diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy. In a lightly anesthetized patient, the doctor inserts a thin optical tube through the nose into the airway to the site of the tumor, where he pinches off a small piece of tissue. If cancer is confirmed with a biopsy, other tests determine its type and spread. For example, nearby lymph nodes are examined for cancer cells with imaging tests, e.g., C.T. scan or bone scintigraphy, and they detect tumors all over the body.

Sputum examination and lung X-rays are inadequate for detecting small tumors typical of early-stage lung cancer. Therefore, they do not recommend regular yearly x-rays for lung cancer detection.

HEALING

If the tumor can be surgically removed, the patient has an excellent chance of at least one year of survival and more than a 50% chance of living for at least five years. The challenge is, therefore, to recognize lung cancer so early that surgical removal is still possible.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

The decision to undergo surgery is not only based on the type of lung cancer but also the spread and the patient's general health. Many lung cancer patients - especially smokers - also have lung or cardiovascular diseases that preclude surgery. Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes between the lungs used to be considered inoperable. Today, however, success is achieved by combining surgery with pre-and postoperative chemotherapy and radiation.

Video content: lung cancer - early diagnosis and treatment

If possible, surgery is the best treatment for non-small cell carcinoma. Before the procedure, they try to reduce the tumor size with radiation and chemotherapy. During the operation, the surgeon removes the tumor along with the surrounding lung tissue and lymph nodes; sometimes, he has to remove a whole lung. After surgery, patients stay in the hospital for a long time. Analgesics are given to relieve postoperative pain. Sometimes radiation is needed to destroy the remaining cancer cells; it is usually delayed for at least a month to allow the operative wound to heal. Non-small cell carcinoma, which cannot be surgically removed, is treated with radiation.

Small cell carcinoma is treated with combination chemotherapy - with more than one drug - often with radiation because it spreads quickly. In selected patients, doctors suggest a bone marrow transplant so that they can use higher doses of chemotherapy.

Image: the appearance of small cell carcinoma under a microscope.

Patients whose cancer has already spread to distant sites are treated with chemotherapy or radiation. Lung cancer with tumors is complicated to cure, so the primary goal of treatment is to alleviate problems and prolong life. With today's medicine, cancer can be reduced, which reduces pain and eliminates other symptoms. Patients with advanced lung cancer need drugs to relieve pain. They mostly use morphine and its derivatives, which effectively manage cancer pain.

Researchers are constantly looking for new ways to cure lung cancer, relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. They are testing new chemotherapy combinations, new radiation forms, and drugs that make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation. For example, experimental laser procedures effectively removed tumors that blocked the trachea, thereby improving breathing. They also investigate various forms of immune and gene therapy for lung cancer. Immunotherapy alters the immune system's response in the hope that it will fight cancer cells more aggressively; gene therapy, on the other hand, inserts foreign genetic material into tumor cells to stop or slow down their reproduction.

COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT

While conventional treatment is ongoing, there are many ways to ease the pain, fear, and discomfort associated with cancer. Complementary medicine can mostly be safely administered alongside conventional medicine but should never be used as a substitute for medical care. The results of complementary therapy vary between patients. Many have benefited from support groups, improving nutrition, various-

Not methods of working with the body and mind and body medicine processes.

NUTRITION

Nutrition research has shown that specific vitamins and minerals protect against lung cancer. For example, antioxidants, M.Sc. vitamins C and E, beta carotene (vitamin A), and some carotenoids are said to protect the lungs from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and other carcinogens. However, enthusiasm for vitamins is reduced by further research that has not proven protective effects or even claims the opposite.

Until their exact role is defined, most researchers do not recommend vitamin and mineral supplements for lung cancer prevention. Instead, they suggest a balanced diet that provides enough fiber and nutrients.

HOME CARE

After lung surgery, your doctor or nurse may teach you exercises to improve breathing and strengthen your chest muscles. Protect irritated skin after radiation by wearing loose clothing and staying out of the sun. Do not use lotions unless approved by your doctor.

PREVENTION

The best protection against lung cancer is not to smoke. Quitting smoking is difficult but not impossible. (See Nicotine, Withdrawal.) As you prepare to leave, reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. However, many claim it is more effective to stop all at once than to "tape down" slowly. Join a support group to support you in your decision to quit. If you live or work with smokers, encourage them to stop and ask them not to smoke in your presence. If you are exposed to chemical carcinogens at work, take safety measures.

PLEURITIS

SYMPTOMS

Pleuritis:

• Severe, sharp, transient pain in the chest may only be on one side when you take a deep breath, cough, move, or sneeze;

Picture: pleurisy.

• Severe pain that goes away when you hold your breath.

Pleural effusion:

• difficult breathing;

• dry cough.

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF

• feel the above symptoms, especially if the disease has not yet been identified; pleurisy and pleural effusion are signs of severe conditions such as pneumonia and lung cancer.

• The above symptoms are accompanied by fever, even if it is low. In addition, you may have an infection called empyema, which requires treatment with antibiotics.

Pleuritis is an inflammation of the pleura - the moist, double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and the inside of the ribs. In pleurisy, breathing causes severe pain. In addition, if addition, if not treated immediately, pleural effusion can develop, in which fluid collects in the space between the two membrane layers - called the pleural space.

Video content: general about pleurisy

Pleuritis and pleural effusion are not diseases but are complications of infections or lung diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Many other conditions also irritate the pleura - most commonly congestive heart failure, but can also be chest injuries, viral infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

Pleuritis and pleural effusion are usually as severe as the disease that causes them. If you have any of the above conditions, you may already be treated for them; if not, seek medical attention immediately.

CAUSES

The double-layered pleura protects and moistens the surface of the lungs as they inflate and deflate inside the chest. Usually, the two layers of the pleura slide gently against each other because of the thin, fluid-filled space - the pleural space - between them. However, if they become inflamed due to an infection in the chest, each time you breathe, sneeze or cough, their uneven surfaces rub against each other, causing pain. This condition is known as pleurisy.

In pleurisy, fluid sometimes collects in the pleural space, and a pleural effusion occurs. The fluid accumulation moistens the surface and reduces friction between the layers of the pleura, thereby relieving the pain associated with pleurisy. However, at the same time, the liquid puts pressure on the lungs, reducing their ability to expand and causing difficulty breathing. In addition, the fluid can become infected and cause a condition called empyema.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

To diagnose pleurisy, the doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the chest while breathing. If he detects pleural friction - a scraping sound due to the layers of the pleura rubbing against each other - the diagnosis is clear. Pleural friction is a scratching, crackling sound at the end of inhalation and exhalation beginning above the pleural inflammation area. When gently palpating this part of the chest, the doctor may hear a crackling sound, another sign of pleurisy.

The doctor may take X-rays of this area and a sample of pleural fluid for analysis. First, he injects an anesthetic under the skin of the back or chest, then pumps out the liquid with a syringe. Next, he tests the sample to determine whether the cause of the fluid accumulation is cancer.

HEALING

Conventional medicine treats diseases that cause pleurisy and pleural effusion.

Video content: Pleurisy - causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment

For a pleural effusion, it is sometimes necessary to remove fluid in addition. Alternative therapies can help alleviate some problems.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

In addition to antibiotics and other appropriate medications to treat the underlying disease, your doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or analgesics, such as acetylsalicylic acid, to improve inflammation. In addition, he sometimes prescribes codeine-based cough syrup to calm a very annoying cough.

For pleural effusion, doctors suggest diuretics that remove excess fluid. Antibiotics may also be prescribed as a preventive measure against the formation of an empyema. If the amount of pleural fluid is large, it is drained through a tube inserted into the chest; they need to admit you to the hospital for this procedure.

ALTERNATIVE MODES

Cure of pleurisy and pleural effusion is only possible with conventional treatment of the underlying disease. However, many alternative therapies, M.D. acupuncture, can old solve some associated problems.

PLEURITIS

Injury or inflammation of the lungs can cause inflammation of the pleura, the thin, two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and the inside of the chest. Between the layers of the pleura is a fluid-filled space that usually cushions the contact between them during breathing. If the pleura is inflamed, the surfaces become rough and sensitive; they rub against each other during breathing and cause pain.

CHINESE HERBS

The Chinese herb ephedra (Ephedra sinica) is a potent bronchodilator and can make breathing easier.

WARNING: A hefty dose of camphor has the same effect as a large dose of adrenaline; do not use it if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. Prepare an extract by combining 5 g of camphor, 4 g of cinnamon sticks (Cinnamomum cassia), 1.5 g of Ural licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), and 5 g of apricot pits (Prunus armeniaca). Soak the mixture in cold water for a few minutes, then bring it to a boil. Drink hot.

Questions and answers

What is the leading cause of pneumonia?

Viruses that infect your lungs and airways can cause pneumonia. The flu (influenza virus) and the common cold (rhinovirus) are adults' most common causes of viral pneumonia. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is young children's most common cause of viral pneumonia. 

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Pneumonia symptoms:
cough – which may be dry or produce thick yellow, green, brown, or blood-tinged mucus
difficulty breathing – your breathing may be fast and shallow, and you may feel as if you are short of air
rapid heartbeat
high temperature
< strong>general malaise
sweating and shivering ^[1].

How severe can pneumonia be?

Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can be severe and even fatal. Complications are more likely if you are an older adult, a very young child, have a weakened immune system, or have extreme medical conditions such as diabetes or cirrhosis ^[2].

How many days can pneumonia last?

1. week - the high temperature should disappear.

4. week - chest pain and mucus production should significantly decrease. 6. week - cough and shortness of breath should significantly decrease. 3. month - most symptoms should disappear, but you may still feel exhausted (fatigue)

How do you get pneumonia?

Pneumonia is mainly spread when infected people cough, sneeze or talk, sending infected droplets into the air. These droplets can then be inhaled with close contact. Less commonly, you can get pneumonia if you touch an object or surface with the germ on it and then touch your nose or mouth.

How is pneumonia cured?

Suppose your pneumonia is so bad that you must be treated in a hospital. In that case, you may be given intravenous fluids, antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and possibly other breathing treatments.

Does walking help with pneumonia?

The study extends the findings of previous research on the effects of exercise on pneumonia by demonstrating that daily walking alone is sufficient to reduce pneumonia-related mortality among older people who do not regularly engage in other exercise activities.

How long does it take for the lungs to heal after pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a severe disease that can significantly affect a person's lungs and body. It can take anywhere from a week to several months to fully recover," says Dr. Rayman Lee, a pulmonologist at Houston Hospital.

What are the first signs of lung cancer?

The main symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Cough that does not go away after three weeks.
• Prolonged cough that gets worse.
• Chest infections that keep coming back.
• Coughing up blood.
• Pain when breathing or coughing.
• Persistent shortness of breath.
• Long-term fatigue or lack of energy.

Does lung cancer spread quickly?

Lung cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that spreads quickly. Although survival rates are improving, they remain low, especially for the SCLC type of lung cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment improve a person's chances of living five years or more with lung cancer.

Can lung cancer be cured?

Screening tests can help dreams identify lung cancer.

The cure rate can be as high as 80 to 90 percent for patients with early-stage small lung cancer. However, the cure rate drops dramatically as the tumor progresses and spreads to the lymph nodes or other body parts.

Where does lung cancer mainly start?

Lung cancer usually starts in the cells that line the bronchi and parts of the lungs, such as the bronchioles or alveoli. A thin lining called the pleura surrounds the lungs. The pleura protects your lungs and helps them slide back and forth against the chest wall as they expand and contract^[3] during breathing.

Sources and references

Source: Family Health Guide. Conventional and alternative treatment, Dr. Jajo Lajovic, Publishing House Mladinska knjiga

1. Pneumonia - Causes and Risk Factors - https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

2. Pneumonia - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

3. What Is Lung Cancer? - https://www.cancer.org/