PNEUMONIA

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Introduction: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which can be

caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Often pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection which includes an infection of the nose and throat. When this happens, symptoms of pneumonia begin after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat. Signs and Symptoms: Symptoms of pneumonia vary, depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia. Some common symptoms include: Unusually rapid breathing Breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds Fever Chills Cough Vomiting Chest pain Abdominal pain Decreased activity Loss of appetite in older children or

poor feeding in infants. In extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails Transmission: The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious and are usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of an infected person. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when a person touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person. Causes: Lungs are two spongy organs surrounded by a moist membrane (the pleura). When you inhale, air is carried through the windpipe (trachea) to lungs in two major airways called bronchi. Inside the lungs, the bronchi subdivide nearly 20 times into a million smaller airways (bronchioles), which finally end in clusters of tiny air sacs called alveoli. At each stage of this process, there are mechanisms to protect your lungs from infection. In fact, you're frequently exposed to bacteria and viruses that can cause pneumonia, but your body

normally keeps them from entering your lungs and causing a problem. But sometimes these microorganisms can get past your body's defenses, finally finding their way into the lungs' air sacs. There, white blood cells (leukocytes), a key part of your immune system, begin to attack the invading organisms. The accumulating pathogens, white cells and immune proteins cause the air sacs to become inflamed and filled with fluid, leading to the difficult breathing that characterizes many types of pneumonia. Risk Factors: Risk factors include: 65 years of age or older People in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities

Children under the age of two People with colds or other respiratory infections People with reduced immunity People with other lung diseases, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and lung

cancer People with AIDS or HIV Organ transplant recipients People who have had their spleen removed People receiving chemotherapy People who smoke Alcoholics People with chronic health problems, such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disorders, sickle cell anemia or diabetes. Treatment: Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the type of organism causing the infection. Bacterial pneumonia (caused by the streptococcus pneumonia bacteria) is often treated with penicillin, ampicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) and erythromycin. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, such as cefuroxime (Ceftin), ampicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), ofloxacin (Floxin), and trimethoprim-sulfanethoxazole. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, such as erythromycin. Viral pneumonia does not respond to antibiotic treatment. Mycoplasma pneumonia is often treated with antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), tetracycline or azithromycin (Zithromax). In severe cases, oxygen therapy and artificial ventilation may be required. Recovery time depends upon the organism involved, the general health of the person and how promptly medical attention was obtained. Prevention: Practice good hygiene. Get an influenza shot each fall. Get a pneumonococcal vaccine. Practice good preventive measures by eating a proper diet, getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep. Do not smoke. Diet: The patient should be kept on a diet of raw juices for five to seven days, depending on the severity of the disease. In this regimen, he should take a glass of fruit or vegetable juice, diluted with warm water on 50:50 bases, every two hours. Fruits such as orange, mussombi, apple, pineapple and grapes and vegetables like carrots and tomatoes may be used for juices. The patient should avoid strong tea,

coffee, refined foods, fried foods, white sugar, white flour and all products made from them, condiments and pickles. He should also avoid all meats as well as alcoholic beverages and smoking. Herbal Remedies: Baikal skullcap has broad-spectrum antimicrobial action. It inhibits flu viruses

and several pneumonia-causing fungi Dandelion’s effectiveness against pneumonia, bronchitis and upper respiratory infections, is excellent Echinacea is one of the best for it helps the body fight off all sorts of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Garlic is used to treat respiratory and digestive tract infections. Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) has two broad-spectrum antimicrobial constituents, hydrastine and berberine. Other herbs with similar action include Oregon grape, yellow root and Allium cepa. Lomatium dissectum is an excellent remedy to treat all respiratory ailments including pneumonia. Sundew (Drosera, various species), inhibits several of the bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Home Remedies: During the early acute stage of this disease, herbal tea made from fenugreek seeds will help the body to produce perspiration, dispel toxicity and shorten the period of fever. It can be taken up to four cups daily. The quantity should be reduced as condition improves. To improve flavor, a few drops of lemon juice can be used. During this treatment, no other food or nourishment should be taken as

fasting and fenugreek will help the body to correct these respiratory problems. Sesame seeds are valuable in pneumonia. An infusion of the seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt and dessertspoon of honey, should be given in the treatment of this disease. This will help remove catarrhal matter and phlegm from the

bronchial tubes. The pain of pneumonia can be relieved by rubbing oil of turpentine over the rib cage and wrapping warmed cotton wool over it. Garlic is an effective home remedy for Pneumonia. It helps in bringing down the temperature. You can even apply some garlic paste on the patient’s chest. Onions are closely related to sulfur-containing compounds. Vegetable juices are excellent for curing Pneumonia. Mix 200 ml of spinach juice and 300 ml of carrot juice. Drink this juice everyday. Homeopathic remedies: Aconite, Ferrum phosphoricum, Iodine, Veratum viride, Bryonia, Kali muriaticum, Phosphorus, Sanguinaria chelidonium, Antimonium taricum, Kali carbonicum and Sulphur are some of the excellent homeopathic remedies for pneumonia. ALSO VISIT http://www.herbsandcures.com with regards, pushpa.

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