Pneumonia is not just "inflammation of the lungs"incomprehensible and frightening term. This, firstly, switching off the lung area from gas exchange (that is, healthy departments will need to take on the function of the affected department to ensure the normal supply of oxygen to organs and tissues), and secondly, it is the poisoning of the body by the products of destruction of lung tissue.
So, there are such types:
- focal pneumonia: in the lung there is a small area of inflammation;
- segmental pneumonia: one segment is affected;
- polysegmentary pneumonia: several segments are affected;
- share (she is also croupous) pneumonia: one share is involved.
Two-sided pneumonia rarely affects both lungsthe same. So, in one organ it can be polysegmentary, in the other - focal. The larger the area of those sites that are inflamed, the heavier the prognosis and the longer the treatment.
What causes bilateral pneumonia
It can be viruses, bacteria and fungi. Of the viruses - it is mainly an influenza virus (especially H1N1). Of bacteria such is characteristic of staphylococcus, pneumococcus, some other microorganisms.
Classic signs of pneumonia:it is a frequent exhausting cough (moist, less often dry) that occurs against (or simultaneously) a rise in body temperature to fairly high figures, weakness, loss of appetite. Influenza pneumonia develops as follows: against a background of fever, pain in the bones, muscles, head, there is a cough. It is moist, can be accompanied by pain behind the sternum, coughing up bloody sputum.
In the bilateral process, it is very early tothe above symptoms are accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath. If the inflammation seizes large areas, shortness of breath can be more than 40 breaths per minute, the skin of a person becomes pale, and the lips acquire a bluish tinge. These are very dangerous signs that require immediate calling of the "First Aid" and hospitalization.
There may also be a violation of consciousness or in the direction of its oppression (drowsiness up to the coma), or, conversely, in the direction of excitement.
How is bilateral pneumonia treated?
- Very powerful antibiotics are prescribed, which have a wide spectrum of action. Usually a combination of two or even three antibacterial drugs is used.
- If there is a suspicion of an influenza virus, Tamiflu is prescribed.
- Treatment of pneumonia in the hospital also includes providing oxygen support: with the help of a mask or nasal catheters, in severe cases the patient is anesthetized and transferred to a hardware breath.
- Inhalations are carried out to ensure that the sputum, and with it, the cells that perform their function, do not stagnate in the lungs, but go outside.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medications to maintain normal cardiac activity, since bilateral pneumonia is a big burden on the heart.
What to do after pneumonia
If x-ray shows that inflammation in the lungsdecreases, it is important to continue the therapy that provides normal drainage of sputum through the bronchi. After suffering inflammation, a cough may persist for a long time.
Treatment after pneumonia includes:
a) carrying out inhalations;
b) taking expectorant drugs ("Lasolvan", "Ambroxol");
c) taking means to strengthen the immune system (tincture of Eleutherococcus, tincture of echinacea, various herbal teas);
d) antihistamines ("Erius", "Loratadin");
e) necessarily - respiratory gymnastics: inflation of balloons, exhalation of air with force into a tube, dipped into water, and so on.
После пневмонии важно высыпаться, питаться с increased calories (and high protein content), limit yourself from stress. After all, the body suffered such stress, it fought hard with the disease and requires recovery.
