Bilateral pneumonia
Bilateral pneumonia is an inflammatory process in the lungs. Its cause is pathogenic microflora, which enters the lung tissue and begins to multiply, destroying them.
Table of contents:
- Bilateral pneumonia
- Why does bilateral pneumonia occur, and what can it mean?
- Why does bilateral pneumonia occur?
- Diagnosis of pneumonia
- Complications of bilateral pneumonia
- Treatment of pneumonia in adults
- What is special about the treatment of pneumonia?
- Treatment of bilateral pneumonia in children
- Treatment of pneumonia with folk remedies
- Prevention of pneumonia
- Bilateral pneumonia
- GENERAL
- Pneumonia Facts:
- CAUSES
- Factors influencing the development of the disease:
- CLASSIFICATION
- On epidemiology:
- By origin:
- By development:
- With the flow:
- According to the likelihood of complications developing:
- According to morphology:
- By severity:
- SYMPTOMS
- Other symptoms:
- DIAGNOSTICS
- Diagnostic methods:
- TREATMENT
- Drug treatment:
- Physiotherapy:
- COMPLICATIONS
- Main complications:
- PREVENTION
- Preventive measures:
- PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY
- Comments on the article
- We recommend reading
- Signs and treatment methods for bilateral pneumonia
- Characteristics of bilateral pneumonia
- Causes of double pneumonia
- Complications of bilateral pneumonia
- Symptoms of double pneumonia
- Diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia
- Therapy for double pneumonia
- Conclusion
- Read more on the topic:
- Bilateral pneumonia - development, symptoms and control
- For what reasons does 2-sided pneumonia occur and what consequences may occur?
- Main causes of bilateral pneumonia
- Bilateral pneumonia and its symptoms
- Diagnosis of the disease
- Treatment of the disease in adults
- Features of the treatment of the disease
- Treatment of the disease in children
- Bilateral pneumonia - symptoms, treatment, consequences
- Causes of the disease
- Symptoms of bilateral pneumonia
- Treatment of bilateral pneumonia
- Complications and prognosis
Another name for this acute process is pneumonia. This disease occurs quite often. Of course, the body has defense mechanisms that protect us from viruses and bacteria. But sometimes these mechanisms fail, and pathogens penetrate deeper and deeper. The main defense against pathogenic microflora is our immunity. It is he who, at the first ingress of microorganisms, brings all his forces to fight them.
Why does bilateral pneumonia occur, and what can it mean?
Let's try to find out how serious a threat pneumonia can pose to the body. Pneumonia is an extremely unpleasant and dangerous disease. After all, the lungs are the organ without which the functioning of the body is impossible at all. They saturate the blood with oxygen, which is then distributed to all organs. They also remove carbon dioxide from the body. If pneumonia is not treated or treated incorrectly, the lungs stop coping with their gas exchange function. The body very quickly begins to suffer from oxygen starvation. Then a chain reaction begins, as a result of which oxygen starvation leads to the rapid development of cardiovascular diseases.
Very often, pneumonia can become a complication of acute respiratory viral infection or influenza due to improper treatment. For example, having fallen ill with the flu or an acute respiratory infection, the patient begins to be treated for a cold. But this diagnosis is incorrect. This means that the treatment is ineffective. He is taking any antipyretics or expectorants, which are now available in huge quantities in pharmacies. At the same time, there is no time or desire to go to the doctor. It seems to him that the disease is not serious and he can cope with it on his own. After a few days, he notices that the remedies he is taking do not bring the desired relief, they simply do not work. Perhaps he will go to the pharmacy again. This time for antibiotics, which were recommended to him by his relatives, friends or a “kind” pharmacist. And he continues to waste precious time on inadequate treatment of a non-existent cold. And at this time, harmful microflora is already descending through the respiratory tract to his lungs. In addition, antibiotics very often provoke intestinal dysbiosis, killing both pathogenic and very beneficial microorganisms. Few people know that antibiotics, if taken uncontrolled, greatly reduce immunity and the disease becomes chronic.
Why does bilateral pneumonia occur?
Oddly enough, but more often bilateral pneumonia occurs in children under 15 years of age. For adults, this disease is not so common.
Bilateral pneumonia can be caused by:
- infections (bacterial)
- weakened immunity during the epidemic
- complications after acute respiratory infections
- heart failure
- chronic respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis)
- hypothermia
- overheating
- unfavorable environmental conditions.
Symptoms of bilateral pneumonia:
- high temperature (38 degrees or higher)
- the appearance of shortness of breath
- dry or wet cough
- blue discoloration on fingertips and around lips
- hard breath
- partial or complete lack of appetite
- weakness.
Similar symptoms may occur with ARVI. Therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish them. The temperature can also rise with acute respiratory infections or influenza. To recognize the onset of pneumonia in time, you need not so much to monitor how high the temperature is, but to monitor the duration of the fever.
With microbial pneumonia, the body temperature rises to 39 degrees. And this temperature is maintained for quite a long time. It is very important to notice whether there is shortness of breath. The appearance of shortness of breath is a clear sign of incipient pneumonia. At first, the disease is accompanied by a dry, tedious cough. As soon as the disease develops, the cough becomes more wet.
It is very important to remember that pneumonia is a dangerous disease that can be life-threatening. If you find one or more of the symptoms described in yourself or your family members, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable! It simply won't help, and you'll waste valuable time. In this case, the body will be weakened by infection and inflammation.
Diagnosis of pneumonia
Bilateral pneumonia has special symptoms that have already been described. But the doctor will also need special diagnostic methods to confidently make a diagnosis of Pneumonia. These methods include:
- X-rays of light. This is a mandatory method for making this diagnosis. It is on the x-ray that the focus of the inflammatory process is visible.
- Sputum analysis. It collects when the patient clears his throat. Thanks to the examination of sputum, it is possible to accurately identify the specific causative agent of the disease.
- General blood analysis. Signs of the inflammatory process can be easily detected in the blood and the diagnosis can be confirmed.
Complications of bilateral pneumonia
We have already mentioned that pneumonia can have very sad consequences. Such a serious illness can lead to the following complications:
- Inflammation of the pleura (pleurisy). The pleura is the membrane that covers all the organs of the chest.
- Pulmonary edema.
- Violation of the breathing process.
- Abscess in the lung area.
Treatment of pneumonia in adults
If pneumonia occurs without complications and there are no serious chronic diseases, then it can be treated on an outpatient basis, but under the strict supervision of a doctor. It is necessary to follow all his instructions, take prescribed medications and maintain bed rest. But quite often such patients are sent to hospital for treatment. Treatment will be based on taking antibacterial drugs. They are selected only by the attending physician. At the same time, he takes into account the age of the patient, the type of infectious agent, and the severity of the disease. A number of drugs are prescribed to help with antibiotics. These are, first of all, antipyretic drugs, expectorants and antihistamines.
What is special about the treatment of pneumonia?
When treating bilateral pneumonia, the following recommendations should be followed:
- The patient must strictly observe bed rest.
- It is necessary to provide the patient with a high-calorie diet.
- You definitely need to drink a lot. Drinking plenty of fluids will help remove toxins from the body as quickly as possible.
- It is necessary to systematically strengthen the immune system. For this, the patient is prescribed vitamin preparations.
- If the doctor deems it necessary, he may prescribe special oxygen inhalations.
- For adults, when recovery begins, physiotherapeutic procedures and special breathing exercises are prescribed.
- Even when the patient fully recovers, he will remain under special registration in his clinic for another year. He will need to periodically undergo sputum and blood tests and undergo fluorography examination on time.
Treatment of bilateral pneumonia in children
Children can be treated both at home and in a hospital. It all depends on the severity of the disease. But there are categories of children who are subject to mandatory hospitalization. These include:
- Newborns
- Weak children who have chronic diseases
- Children whose disease is especially severe, with a number of complications
- Children who have undergone treatment prescribed by a pediatrician, but it has not brought the desired results
- Children who, for whatever reason, cannot receive proper care at home
If you are allowed to treat your child at home, you should strictly follow a number of recommendations:
- Be sure to make sure your baby stays in bed. Provide him with the necessary care. The baby should be in the crib with his head raised, that is, half-sitting. This is necessary so that there is no congestion in the lungs.
- Ventilate a sick baby's room at least 3-4 times a day. If the weather is warm, then you don’t have to close the window. This way you neutralize pathogens and provide the necessary air humidity.
- Carry out high-quality wet cleaning of your apartment every day.
- As soon as you bring down the high temperature and reach the desired 36.6, you can go for walks. But do not allow your baby to overwork, play for a long time, or run a lot. If it’s cold outside, you can walk at home. You will dress your child warmly and open the windows in the house. There should be no drafts.
- Give your baby plenty of fluids. Mineral water, compotes, fruit drinks, and weak tea with lemon will perfectly quench your thirst.
- The baby must take a course of antibiotics. He must take them for at least 10 days.
- To restore the intestinal microflora, in parallel with antibiotics, you need to take special means to restore bifidobacteria.
- Be sure to ensure your baby takes vitamins and expectorants.
- If the doctor allows it, then carry out inhalations. But remember that they cannot be made at elevated temperatures.
- During the recovery period, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy and medications that boost your immune system.
- When treating pneumonia, massage is required. It will help straighten the lungs, and phlegm will be cleared better. In addition to massage, you need to periodically turn the baby over and make sure that he coughs up sputum well. It is also useful to inflate balloons, blow through a straw into water, and blow soap bubbles.
Remember that bilateral pneumonia can only be treated in a complex manner and under the strict supervision of a doctor. It is important to contact him immediately after the first symptoms appear and follow all instructions without doing anything on your own. Then you will avoid dangerous complications.
Treatment of pneumonia with folk remedies
Let us remind you once again that diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia is carried out by a doctor. Folk remedies cannot be the main treatment. This is only a useful addition that can also be used with the permission of a doctor.
- You can rub your back with mustard (a thin layer), cover it with a thin cloth for 1 minute, then dry it well and put on a sweater. To make this treatment work better, you can drink linden decoction and lie down, wrapped in a warm blanket.
- Honey cakes. They are used if there is no allergy to honey. Mix a tablespoon of honey, alcohol and mustard. Add flour and form into a flat cake. It can be applied to the back for 2-3 hours. Be careful not to sting, otherwise your skin will burn.
- For treating a child, a decoction of birch buds with honey will be safe and effective (in the absence of allergies and with the permission of the attending physician). It's quite simple to prepare. Pour honey into a saucepan, add 100 grams of kidneys (they are sold at the pharmacy), put on gas and bring to a boil. This healing mixture should be boiled over low heat for about 7 minutes. Stir constantly. Then transfer to a sieve and strain. The child should drink this decoction before going to bed with a glass of warm water.
Prevention of pneumonia
Bilateral pneumonia can be avoided if you follow simple rules:
- Get vaccinated against the flu, because it is the one that most often leads to complications such as pneumonia.
- Wash your hands for about 30 seconds with soap to prevent infection from entering your body.
- Eat well, get plenty of rest, and exercise.
- If a child suffers from asthma, vaccination is possible.
- Elderly people can be vaccinated against pneumococcus, which is the main causative agent of this disease.
- Quit smoking.
So, now you are armed with basic information about this dangerous disease. Remember that only a doctor can diagnose and properly treat pneumonia!
Source: http://grippe.su/dvuxstoronnee-vospalenie-legkix.html
Bilateral pneumonia
GENERAL
According to statistics, double lung pneumonia takes more than 1.5 million lives per year.
Pneumonia Facts:
- Every sixth case of death in children under 5 years of age is associated with this disease.
- Every year, more than 1% of the population of the Russian Federation is affected by the disease, among people over 50 years old - more than 2.5%.
- The disease ranks 4th among all diseases that lead to death, with a mortality rate of 9%.
- HIV-infected patients in most cases die precisely because of a complication such as double pneumonia.
CAUSES
Bilateral pneumonia in adults mainly develops as a consequence of the entry of painful microorganisms into the upper pulmonary tract, which lead to inflammation of the lung tissue by an active reproduction process outside the respiratory bronchioles.
Factors influencing the development of the disease:
- Advanced forms of ARVI and influenza.
- Entry of foreign bodies into the pulmonary tract.
- Allergic reactions.
- Diseases of autoimmune origin.
- Burns of the lungs due to high temperature air, as well as chemicals.
- Damage to the body by helminths.
- Abuse of bad habits (mainly smoking).
- Severe hypothermia of the body.
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Mechanical damage to the chest.
- Neuroses.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
In extremely rare cases, the routes of development of bilateral pneumonia can be hematogenous and lymphogenous.
CLASSIFICATION
Double pneumonia is characterized in the following ways.
On epidemiology:
- Out-of-hospital.
- In-hospital.
- Atypical.
- Immunodeficiency.
By origin:
- Bacterial.
- Viral.
- Fungal.
- Mycoplasma.
- Mixed.
By development:
- Primary – pathology of independent development.
- Secondary – pathology associated with complications of concomitant diseases.
- Aspiration is a pathology caused by foreign bodies entering the pulmonary tract.
- Post-traumatic.
- Postoperative.
- Heart attack-pneumonia.
With the flow:
- Spicy.
- Lingering acute.
- Chronic.
According to the likelihood of complications developing:
- Complicated - this form is characterized by the fact that with bilateral pneumonia, endocarditis, abscesses, pleurisy also appear, and in rare cases, bacterial toxic shock can develop.
- Uncomplicated.
According to morphology:
- Croupous.
- Focal.
- Interstitial.
By severity:
- Mild degree.
- Average.
- Severe degree.
SYMPTOMS
Classically, bilateral pneumonia has symptoms such as a cough with copious amounts of sputum, high fever for several days, and severe chest pain.
Other symptoms:
- severe weakness of the body;
- increased sweating (especially at night);
- constant shortness of breath;
- pronounced tachycardia;
- rashes on the face of herpetic origin;
- blood streaks may be present in the sputum;
- severe chills;
- poor appetite;
- bluish tint on fingertips.
The danger of bilateral pneumonia is that the disease can occur without any symptoms, which can lead to severe complications and even death.
DIAGNOSTICS
Due to the high mortality of the disease, making the correct diagnosis for bilateral pneumonia is the main task of a pulmonologist. Specialists are well aware of what bilateral pneumonia is and what its consequences are, therefore, along with an oral interview with the patient, the following methods of diagnosis are required.
Diagnostic methods:
- Clinical blood test.
- Radiography.
- Microscopic examination and culture of sputum.
- Echocardiography.
- Ultrasound.
- Bronchoscopic examination.
- CT scan of the chest.
- Bacteriological analysis of sputum.
TREATMENT
When treating bilateral pneumonia, you should follow bed rest, a strict diet, reduce the risk of contact with any pathogens of allergic reactions and maintain high sterility of the room.
Drug treatment:
- Antibiotics from the cephalosporin group.
- Injectable antibiotics from the penicillin series with clavulanic acid.
- Bifidumbacteria (maintain the normal state of intestinal microflora during the period of taking antibiotics).
- Preparations for thinning and rapid removal of sputum from a number of mucolytics.
- Antiallergenic drugs (H1-antihistamines).
- Drugs to reduce body temperature.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Immunomodulators.
- Vitamin complexes.
Physiotherapy:
- Massage.
- Ultraviolet baths.
- Exercise therapy.
- Electrophoresis.
- UHF.
- Paraffin.
In the treatment of this disease, inhalation using a nebulizer has proven itself well.
COMPLICATIONS
Severe consequences of bilateral pneumonia arise from untimely consultation with a specialist, improper treatment (including traditional methods), reduced immunity and extremely aggressive infection.
Main complications:
- lung abscess;
- pleurisy;
- heart failure;
- severe pulmonary edema;
- sepsis.
PREVENTION
The set of preventive measures to prevent double pneumonia is quite simple and does not require much effort.
Preventive measures:
- active lifestyle;
- healthy eating;
- maintaining cleanliness in the workplace and home;
- timely treatment of respiratory diseases;
- hardening;
- vaccination.
PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY
Treatment for this disease takes about two weeks on average. How much to treat a complex form of inflammation is determined by the attending physician based on appropriate examinations of the patient and his general condition. Full functionality returns after 21 days from the start of treatment.
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Tracheitis is a respiratory disease in which inflammation of the mucous surface of the trachea is noted. Pathology rarely occurs as an independent disease, more often.
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IMPORTANT. The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only. Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of disease, consult a doctor.
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Signs and treatment methods for bilateral pneumonia
Pneumonia is a disease that often occurs in an acute form, but for a number of reasons it becomes chronic. Bilateral pneumonia usually occurs as a complication of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, and respiratory tract pathologies, primarily in people with weakened immune systems, young children, the elderly, the elderly and those who are “tied” to bed: bedridden patients and disabled people. If the diagnosis is confirmed, hospitalization is required.
Characteristics of bilateral pneumonia
The causative agents of the pathology are Klebsiella pneumoniae, pneumococcus, Legionella, Escherichia coli, chlamydia, mycoplasma, streptococcus, staphylococcus, Pfeiffer's bacillus, Coxiella Burnet, and other bacteria. They are transmitted by airborne droplets, through water, blood and secretions of an infected person, from mother to child in utero and in other ways. Symptoms of inflammation appear during the first day, and in newborns - after a few hours.
With bilateral pneumonia, the right and then the left lung are affected first, or the process affects them simultaneously. Intensive proliferation of pathogenic microflora occurs when it enters the pleura or inside the alveoli. The condition worsens over a short period of time – 1–2 days. The situation is complicated. The respiratory function is disrupted on a large scale: both lungs stop fully ventilating the body, and oxygen starvation occurs.
With bilateral pneumonia, a person may die or suffer complications in the heart or vascular system.
Treatment is carried out after diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed based on the patient’s age and the presence of concomitant diseases (diabetes, ulcers, hypotension, and so on). At the same time, medications are selected that will relieve acute symptoms.
Causes of double pneumonia
If pneumonia due to bacterial or viral infection is excluded, then other reasons for its occurrence are identified. These are lack of sleep, hypothermia, allergies, poisoning by chemical fumes, surfactant defect (a substance that fills the alveoli), chronic and autoimmune diseases, and injuries.
A reason such as disability often causes pneumonia. A person’s immobility (paralysis) disrupts the functioning of the respiratory system: the lungs “caking”, there is no possibility for tissues to change their position, and for the alveoli to function correctly.
With gradual or sudden hypothermia, pneumonia often develops in the form of bilateral lung damage. The same applies to severe overheating and rapid cooling of the body. For example: a person falls through the ice or does not properly condition the body, heat stroke. If your health deteriorates after these cases, you should consult a doctor.
Complications of bilateral pneumonia
Untimely or prematurely stopped treatment threatens the development of pleurisy, cardiovascular diseases (stroke, ischemia, endocarditis and the like). Edema, lung abscess, bacteremia (blood poisoning and sepsis of other organs), toxic shock, meningitis, glomerulonephritis and other pathologies often occur. Many of these consequences are incompatible with life, so doctors need to carefully and quickly diagnose the identified symptoms in adults and children.
Symptoms of double pneumonia
An acute illness is accompanied by typical symptoms: fever above C, chills, the person often breaks into a sweat, cough, weakness.
Symptoms of intensive development of pneumonia:
- respiratory failure;
- the skin on the fingertips and in the area of the nasolabial triangle turns blue (cyanosis);
- rash on the face similar to herpes;
- general intoxication;
- dyspnea;
- cough is absent or is dry or with sputum;
- shallow breathing;
- pain when inhaling, turning the body;
- constant temperature;
- tachycardia.
Having identified such symptoms in yourself, you need to consult a doctor no later than on the second day, calling a pulmonologist or an ambulance at home. After the examination, the doctor will confirm the presence of wheezing or cast doubt on the diagnosis of pneumonia, but tests will still be required.
Symptoms in infants (age 0 to 12 months):
- skin becomes gray or pale;
- hypotension;
- lethargy;
- vomiting while eating;
- rapid breathing, heartbeat;
- cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, fingers and toes;
- veins swell in the neck;
- spasms, bloating in the intestines;
- loss of consciousness is possible.
Symptoms of bilateral pneumonia in children are confirmed by the presence of fine wheezing in the lungs. Parents of babies and relatives of people at risk should not postpone the examination even for a few hours: pneumonia is fleeting, bilateral damage can immediately occur, and if medical assistance is not provided in a timely manner, there is a risk of developing an abscess and death.
Diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia
The task of doctors is to discover the cause of pneumonia, analyze the stage and severity of the disease. The doctor must also select adequate methods and medications to quickly eliminate the pathology and prevent complications.
Pneumonia doesn't give you time to think. The admitted patient is immediately sent for an X-ray, a general blood test, urine test, and a sample of sputum secreted during coughing are taken to identify the specific pathogen.
Physical research methods: visual examination of the patient (condition of the skin, nails, breathing, etc.), tapping the back in the lung area (percussion), listening to noises in the organs (auscultation).
Pneumonia causes complications in the heart, so the patient is sent for an ECG, EchoCG (echocardiograph). An ultrasound examination of the pleural cavity is performed to exclude pleurisy (empyema, effusion, dryness), and other changes in the pulmonary lining.
Therapy for double pneumonia
Treatment is carried out immediately, prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics, since sputum analysis to identify the causative agent of pneumonia takes several days. Having received the results of the bacteriological study, the doctor adjusts the course of drug therapy.
When a patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia, in the first days they are comprehensively prescribed diet table No. 13, then transferred to No. 15. It is allowed to drink warm or room temperature liquid: diluted (non-concentrated) berry, fruit and vegetable juices, rosehip decoction. Herbal infusions and teas are drunk with the knowledge of a doctor, who will correct the combined effect of herbal medicines with medications.
- bed rest;
- frequent examinations by a doctor;
- oxygen inhalations (if necessary);
- diet;
- drinking plenty of water;
- vitamin therapy;
- taking medications;
- compliance with medical orders.
After stabilizing the temperature and relieving the acute symptoms of pneumonia, a massage is prescribed. The treatment has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, helps to separate and remove sputum and exudate (pathological fluid formed in the alveoli).
You should not lie on one side for a long time; it is recommended to toss and turn so that air and blood circulate better in the inflamed lungs. When pneumonia stops developing and the patient’s condition improves, treatment with physiotherapy (electrophoresis, inhalations, massage) using lidase, calcium chloride, and potassium is added.
Exercise therapy (physical education intended for prevention and recovery) and breathing exercises are also prescribed. Exercises are selected to improve gas exchange, blood circulation, lymph in the lungs, and normalize ventilating processes.
Drug treatment of pneumonia includes drugs:
- antibacterial (2-3 medications in combination);
- immunostimulating;
- antipyretics;
- relieving intoxication (symptoms of poisoning: migraine, nausea);
- antihistamines;
- mucolytic;
- expectorants.
Based on examinations, the doctor treats pneumonia, that is, selects tactics: frequency of administration, doses, course duration, decides when to start physical therapy, exercise therapy. In extremely difficult situations, surgical intervention is necessary. Medications are used in stages, taking into account incoming test results.
The second time, an x-ray is taken approximately one day after the onset of the disease. It should confirm the results of therapy, reflect the condition of the lung tissue, and possible changes caused by pneumonia.
The patient undergoes complete treatment for pneumonia, after which he undergoes a rehabilitation course on an outpatient basis (at home). Then you should return for a second examination to the doctor.
Conclusion
The patient is recommended to undergo recovery in a sanatorium that specializes in pulmonary diseases. After completing treatment for pneumonia, a person is registered with a family doctor for 1 year. If during this period there is no relapse, the chronic form of the disease does not manifest itself, tests for the presence of the pathogen will give negative results, and there will be no symptoms, pneumonia will be defeated.
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Bilateral pneumonia - development, symptoms and control
Bilateral pneumonia is a disease characterized by inflammation in the lungs. Most often, the disease develops due to the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the lung tissue, which begins to reproduce there, gradually contributing to their destruction. This acute process is also called pneumonia. The disease can appear in anyone, regardless of their age.
As a rule, the human body has a number of special mechanisms that help protect it from various kinds of microorganisms. But there are times when they fail, which allows pathogenic bacteria to freely penetrate deeper and deeper into the body. The main protective function against pathogenic microflora is immunity. It is he who has to throw all his available forces into the fight against viruses.
When pathogenic bacteria manage to get into two lungs at once, a person begins to develop bilateral pneumonia. It refers to more severe forms of the disease than a 1-sided inflammatory process. Pathogenic microflora freely passes through the immune system, which protects the body from various viruses, and begins to affect all organs of the respiratory tract. First it passes the nose and trachea, then the larynx and bronchi, and only after that, reaching the lungs, it affects them. To understand how this happens and what causes it, how to treat the disease and avoid serious complications, let’s look at 2-way pneumonia in more detail.
For what reasons does 2-sided pneumonia occur and what consequences may occur?
First of all, it is worth understanding how pneumonia can affect the body. Note that the inflammatory pulmonary process is a very dangerous disease.
The lungs are essentially one of the most important organs, without which the body cannot function. They act as a kind of internal mechanism that saturates the blood with oxygen, which subsequently spreads throughout all organs. In addition, it is the lungs that relieve a person from excess accumulation of carbon dioxide. If you do not give due attention to the treatment of the disease, or ignore it altogether, then the lungs become weaker and soon cannot efficiently carry out the work of gas exchange processes. Then the body is exposed to oxygen starvation. After a chain reaction occurs, oxygen starvation is converted into a disease of the cardiovascular system.
Quite often, 2-sided pneumonia develops as a result of various complications or incorrect treatment methods, diseases such as ARVI and influenza virus. For example, with the flu, a person begins to be treated for a common cold. But in fact, he is doing everything wrong. They were diagnosed incorrectly, which indicates that the treatment was ineffective. The patient begins to take some expectorant and antifever drugs, without considering it necessary to consult a qualified doctor. In his opinion, the disease is not serious, so he can recover on his own. But literally after a few days it will become clear to him that the medications he is taking are not entirely helping. There is a possibility that the patient will go to the pharmacy again and buy some kind of antibiotic, thereby wasting precious time on thoughtless and incorrect treatment of an illness he does not understand. And in his body, harmful microflora is already descending to the lungs. Moreover, antibiotics often cause undesirable consequences, for example, intestinal dysbiosis can develop, and they also contribute to the destruction of not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microorganisms. Few people know that uncontrolled use of antibiotics can significantly reduce immunity, thereby helping the disease become chronic.
Main causes of bilateral pneumonia
Surprisingly, children under the age of seventeen are most susceptible to the disease. Adults suffer from this disease less often.
So, double pneumonia can appear for the following reasons:
- as a result of bacterial infections entering the body,
- due to weakened immunity during viral epidemics,
- after complications caused by acute respiratory infections,
- for heart failure,
- due to chronic respiratory diseases,
- after overheating or hypothermia,
- due to poor environmental conditions.
Bilateral pneumonia and its symptoms
When a person is exposed to 2-sided pneumonia, he develops a number of symptoms corresponding to the disease.
So, if a person has bilateral pneumonia, the symptoms may be as follows:
- difficulty breathing,
- increased body temperature,
- dyspnea,
- weakness of the body,
- blueness in the lips and fingertips,
- acute cough,
- loss of appetite.
Such symptoms also occur with influenza or acute respiratory infections, so a person must learn to distinguish between these diseases. To understand the nature of the disease and identify pneumonia in time, the patient must first monitor the duration of the fever.
If 2-sided inflammation appears as a result of microbial effects on the body, then the body temperature can rise to thirty-nine degrees. It can last for quite a long period of time. In such cases, the patient experiences shortness of breath, and this is the first sign of the development of the disease. First, the pulmonary inflammatory process is accompanied by a dry cough. After the disease develops, the cough becomes wet. It is imperative to remember that pneumonia is very dangerous and sometimes ends in death.
If you, your child, or a loved one experience the above symptoms, it is recommended that you immediately consult a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to treat pneumonia on your own! Treatment at home simply will not help rid you of the disease, and wasted time can have serious consequences.
Diagnosis of the disease
Pneumonia is accompanied by many symptoms mentioned above. But the doctor still needs diagnostic methods that help accurately determine the diagnosis. These methods include:
X-rays of light. This procedure is performed without fail, since this is the basis for making this diagnosis. That is, the image reveals the focus of inflammatory processes.
Blood test (general). A specialist can easily find a sign of inflammation in the blood and give a definitive diagnosis.
Sputum tests. Sputum is collected during the coughing process. Using this method, the doctor can accurately determine what caused the development of pneumonia.
As mentioned earlier, pneumonia can lead to sad consequences. Pneumonia can cause the following complications:
- pleurisy (inflammatory processes of the pleura). The pleura is the membrane that covers the lungs
- pulmonary edema,
- purulent processes of the lungs,
- respiratory disorders.
Treatment of the disease in adults
When the disease develops without any difficulties and the adult does not have any serious chronic illnesses, then the disease can be treated at home, but following all the recommendations of the treating doctor. The patient must take all prescribed medications and adhere to bed rest.
But very often, pneumonia is treated in a hospital. The patient is prescribed a course of special antibiotics, which are selected exclusively by the attending physician. The doctor prescribes medications based on the patient’s age, the cause of the disease and its severity. Antihistamines, expectorants and antipyretics are also prescribed in addition to antibacterial agents.
Features of the treatment of the disease
When treating bilateral pneumonia, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:
- the patient needs to lie down as much as possible,
- he must eat high-calorie foods,
- he should drink more fluids. Thanks to plenty of drinking, all toxic substances will be eliminated from the body faster,
- the patient must strengthen his immune system, so he is prescribed various vitamins,
- in some cases, the patient needs to undergo a series of oxygen inhalation procedures.
Also, when the patient is recovering, he is prescribed special breathing exercises and a set of physiotherapeutic procedures. After complete recovery, the patient must undergo blood and sputum tests for a year, and also go for X-ray fluorography.
Treatment of the disease in children
Inflammatory processes in the lungs in a child are treated in almost the same way as in adults. But there are children whose pneumonia must be hospitalized. These children include:
- newborns,
- weakened, suffering from chronic diseases,
- babies who did not benefit from outpatient treatment,
- children who have suffered complications.
So, we have dealt with the disease, now we should give some useful tips that will help avoid the development of pneumonia. To avoid becoming a victim of double pneumonia, you should first of all always get a flu vaccine, which very often causes the disease. You should always wash your hands with soap, as pathogens can enter the body through them. Nutrition should be nutritious, you should exercise and rest more often.
If your child develops asthma in the first or second year of life, he needs to be vaccinated. Smokers should quit their addiction, and drinkers should stop abusing alcohol. Remember that proper diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease will prevent complications from occurring.
Source: http://proinfekcii.ru/legkie/pnevmoniya/dvuhstoronnee-vospalenie-legkih.html
Bilateral pneumonia - symptoms, treatment, consequences
Bilateral pneumonia can be found in both adults and children. This is a dangerous condition that is diagnosed when a large area of lung tissue is affected. It is caused by infection of the respiratory organ with bacterial agents.
Causes of the disease
The inflammatory process, which develops simultaneously in both the right and left lungs, can appear for various reasons. Most often it occurs due to a decrease in the protective function of the human body. He is deprived of the ability to protect himself from attacks by pathogenic microflora, so viruses and infections easily penetrate into him.
Bilateral lung damage appears for the following reasons:
- Frequent illnesses. Because of them, the organs of the respiratory system are constantly exposed to bacteria, since human immunity is greatly reduced.
- Hypothermia. Spending a long time in a cold place has a bad effect on the full supply of blood to the lungs. Therefore, substances that are responsible for modeling immunity reach the organs in minimal quantities. Because of this, the likelihood of damage to unprotected lung tissue increases several times.
- Lack of proper sleep. This factor negatively affects the functioning of the entire body.
- Avitaminosis. Due to a lack of beneficial microelements, the immune system is greatly reduced.
- Allergy. This condition also has a bad effect on the body's protective properties. Allergic attacks exhaust him and do not allow him to give an adequate response to an attack from pathogens.
- Chronic lung diseases. This course of pathological processes leads to the development of complications. The cavities of the internal organs are severely injured. All this negatively affects their work and resistance to bacteria.
- Surfactant defect. This term refers to the alveolar filler, which is involved in the process of gas exchange. If there is a deviation in this part of the system, the surfactant is injured. Because of this, he is unable to resist the pathogenic microflora that tries to penetrate the lungs.
Almost all causes are associated with painful conditions. If a person does not begin to promptly treat the pathology developing in the respiratory organs, it will quickly develop into a bilateral form of pneumonia.
Symptoms of bilateral pneumonia
The first warning sign that indicates bilateral pneumonia is an increase in body temperature. You need to immediately pay attention to this point. It is advisable to make a temperature graph. The doctor will need it when examining the patient. A sharp rise in temperature to 40 degrees should be considered a symptom of dangerous damage to the respiratory organs. This condition will certainly be accompanied by severe chills.
The patient will certainly develop a dry cough, which will often bother him. It is not uncommon for this diagnosis to leave painful sensations in the side. Their intensity increases during inhalation and sneezing.
The doctor will suspect the patient has bilateral pneumonia based on a number of characteristic symptoms:
- Rapid and shallow breathing, which is accompanied by shortness of breath.
- Hot and dry skin.
- Unhealthy blush on the cheeks. With a unilateral course of the disease, it is observed only on the right or left.
- Herpes virus rash on the lips.
- Blueness of the lips, which indicates oxygen starvation.
- Dark colored urine.
- Increased heart rate and weak heart beats.
Pneumonia, which affects both sides of the respiratory organ at once, is also recognized by a white coating on the surface of the tongue. The patient will constantly feel dryness in the mouth, which quickly appears even after drinking.
- The development of a severe form of pneumonia can be suspected by changes in the functioning of the central nervous system. A person develops sharp headaches and is constantly in a state of excitement.
- Another main symptom of an inflammatory process in the lungs is a cough. It can be constant or paroxysmal. When coughing, patients produce purulent sputum, which often acquires a greenish tint.
If a person does not consult a specialist for a long time, he will develop disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
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Treatment of bilateral pneumonia
After the doctor confirms the diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia, the patient should immediately begin treatment. It is mandatory to take antibacterial drugs that help suppress the activity of pathogenic microflora. Before determining the type of causative agent of the disease, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is prescribed.
As with right- or left-sided pneumonia, the specialist prescribes a number of medications to the patient that fight the main symptoms of the disease and destroy pathogenic bacteria.
An individual treatment plan should only be drawn up by a specialist. He will strongly recommend that the patient remain on bed rest and have a special diet. The patient must be in a clean and sterile room to avoid re-infection. These conditions are best provided in hospitals. If the patient wants to be treated at home, then his relatives will have to take care of this.
When the inflammatory process in the lungs occurs bilaterally, the following medications are required:
- Antibiotics.
- Bifidobacterial preparations.
- Mucus thinners.
- Antihistamines.
- Vitamin complexes.
- Immunomodulators.
- Antipyretics.
Physiotherapeutic procedures give good results. They are prescribed along with drug therapy. Massages are the most preferable for this diagnosis. They have a relaxing and restorative effect on a weakened body.
It is recommended to alternate therapeutic massages with ultraviolet baths, electrophoresis and special physical training. Their combined use with medications gives excellent results. Thanks to them, the patient recovers faster.
It is forbidden to self-medicate in case of bilateral lung damage. An ordinary person cannot know what drugs to take to get rid of pneumonia. An incorrectly chosen treatment method will have a disastrous outcome. Because of such negligence towards one’s own health and neglect of the help of a professional doctor, a person risks saying goodbye to his life.
Complications and prognosis
An advanced form of bilateral pneumonia has unpleasant consequences for the entire body. This is one of the reasons why signs of pulmonary damage should never be ignored. Quite often, with this treatment of the pathological process, secondary foci of inflammation and serious tissue changes are observed.
Due to the development of complications, the patient has to select a completely different therapy, since the already prescribed treatment methods are unlikely to bring a positive result.
It is difficult to say what kind of prognosis awaits a person with bilateral damage to the respiratory organ. It all depends on how the disease progresses, whether it causes complications and what harm it has already caused to health.
When new inflammatory processes form, the prognosis for recovery is extremely disappointing.
Repeated foci of inflammation differ from the first ones in a more intense nature. They interfere with the functioning of the respiratory system and prevent them from performing their functions normally. Complications are more severe than the underlying disease.
Most often, bilateral pneumonia is the cause of the development of the following painful conditions:
- Abscess.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Obstructive syndrome.
- Exudative pleurisy.
- Gangrene of the lungs.
- Hard breath.
Complications caused by pneumonia do not always affect the functioning of the respiratory system. They may well lead to the development of disturbances in the functioning of other organs. Due to pneumonia, the patient develops:
During and after therapy, patients often experience fungal infections, allergies and dysbacteriosis. These disorders are the result of taking an antibacterial drug. You can begin to eliminate them after completing the treatment course. In rare cases, the simultaneous use of an antibiotic and medications that reduce its negative effect on the body is allowed.
Fibrosis is another complication of pneumonia, which occurs in a bilateral form. Because of this pathology, tissues no longer receive enough oxygen. Therefore, when breathing, the patient feels severe pain.
As a rule, they are limited only to regular intake of medications and medical procedures. Do not neglect breathing exercises, which facilitate the process of air exchange in the affected organ.
After recovery, you must undergo rehabilitation. It helps consolidate the achieved results and prevent relapse of the disease. Restoration efforts last on average at least a year. How exactly the patient’s rehabilitation will proceed is decided only by his attending physician.
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Source: http://lor-explorer.com/lungs/dvustoronnyaya-pnevmoniya