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Pneumonia
Definition:
Description: is caused by the inhalation of infected microorganisms (tiny, single-celled living organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa) spread through contact with an infected person. The microorganisms enter the body through the mouth, nose and eyes. If the body's resistance is down, the natural process of fighting off diseases is weakened and the microorganisms are free to spread into the lungs and the lungs' air sacs. The air sacs become filled with fluid and pus from the infectious agent, making it more difficult for the body to get the oxygen it needs, and the person may become sick. Potential complications of pneumonia include pleural effusion (fluid around the lung), empyema (pus in the pleural cavity), hyponatremia (low blood sodium) and rarely, an abscess in the lung.
Causes of Pneumonia: Bacterial pneumonia: Pneumonia-causing bacteria is present in many throats, but when the body's defenses are weakened (for example, by illness, old age, malnutrition or impaired immunity) the bacteria can multiply, working its way into the lungs, inflaming the air sacs and filling the lungs with liquid and pus. The bacteria that cause bacterial pneumonia are streptococcus pneumonia (resulting in lobar pneumonia), hemophilus influenza (resulting in bronchopneumonia), legionella pneumophilia (resulting in Legionnaires' disease) and staphylococcus aureus. Viral pneumonia: Half of all pneumonias are believed to be caused by viruses, such as influenza (flu), adenovirus, coxsackievirus, chickenpox, measles, cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. These viruses invade the lungs and multiply. Mycoplasmal pneumonia (also called "walking pneumonia"): Similar to bacterial pneumonia, the mycoplasmas multiply and spread, causing infection. Some of the other pneumonia-related disorders are aspiration pneumonia, chlamydial pneumonia, Loffler's syndrome, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pediatric pneumonia and necrotizing pneumonia.
Symptoms of Pneumonia: Symptoms vary, depending on the type of pneumonia and the individual.
With viral pneumonia, the person may experience: Fever, dry cough, headache, muscle pain and weakness, These flu-like symptoms may be followed within one or two days by: increasing breathlessness, dry cough becomes worse and produces a small amount of mucus, higher fever, bluish color to the lips
With mycoplasma pneumonia, the person may experience: violent coughing attacks, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, slow heartbeat, breathlessness, bluish color to lips and nailbeds, diarrhea, rash, muscle aches,
Regardless of the type of pneumonia, the person may also experience the following symptoms: a loss in appetite, feeling ill, clammy skin, nasal flaring, fatigue, mental confusion, joint and muscle stiffness, anxiety, stress and tension, abdominal pain
Diagnosis of Pneumonia: To diagnose pneumonia, the doctor begins with a medical history and physical examination. By placing a stethoscope on the chest, the doctor may be able to hear crackling sounds, coarse breathing, wheezing and/or the breathing may be faint in a particular area of the chest. Additionally, the doctor may order a chest x-ray, a sputum gram stain and a blood test. The chest x-ray may show a blotchywhite area, where fluid and pus has accumulated in the lung's air sacs. The sputum grain stain and the blood test may determine the cause and severity of the condition. If these tests are inconclusive, the doctor may perform a procedure called a bronchoscopy. In this procedure, a flexible, thin and lit viewing tube is inserted into the nose or mouth after a local anesthetic is administered. The breathing passages can then be directly examined by the doctor and specimens from the infected part of the lung can be obtained.
Pathophysiology of Pneumonia: The invading organism causes symptoms, in part, by provoking an overly exuberant immune response in the lungs. The small blood vessels in the lungs (capillaries) become leaky, and protein-rich fluid seeps into the alveoli. This results in a less functional area for oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. The patient becomes relatively oxygen deprived, while retaining potentially damaging carbon dioxide. The patient breathes faster and faster, in an effort to bring in more oxygen and blow off more carbon dioxide. Mucus production is increased, and the leaky capillaries may tinge the mucus with blood. Mucus plugs actually further decrease the efficiency of gas exchange