Pneumonia

Pneumonia 

Infection of the lungs is usually called pneumonia or pneumonitis. This results when harmful germs invade the upper respiratory tract and find their way down to the deeper bronchial tubes and alveoli. When the infection reaches the level of these air sacs (alveoli) pneumonia has developed. Sometimes the infection is very mild and may not even appear as a shadow on x-ray. Coughing is the most common symptom. However, usually the individual will have fever and some shortness of breath also. Generalized chills, malaise, and apprehension appear frequently. 

Chest pain is of a pleuritic nature, involving the membrane lining of the lung. It is a sharp pain, well localized, and aggravated by breathing, coughing or moving. Usually pressure against the area, as well as moist heat is extremely useful in relieving the pain of pleurisy.

Investigation should begin early to determine the cause of the pneumonia. The sputum can be cultured in the laboratory. If germs are present, a gram stain or bacteriologic culture will give the clue as to a cause. Viral pneumonia usually shows a normal blood count with negative cultures, while bacterial pneumonia germs can frequently be cultured from the sputum.

Unfortunately, the expectorating of cough material usually contaminates the culture with normal organisms resident in the mouth. Doctors therefore attempt to aspirate the tracheal secretions, although this invasive procedure is not without hazards. The chest x-ray can be most helpful, as certain bacteria produce characteristic patterns in the lung. Alcoholics commonly develop pneumococcal pneumonia, while children are more likely seen with Hemophilus influenza or Staphylococcal organisms.

Individuals who are routinely taking broad-spectrum antibiotics may develop pneumonia caused by less common organisms such as Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Candida species. The latter is a fungus infection that is particularly difficult to treat and is often seen in those whose normal organisms have been artificially suppressed, or whose immune system was compromised by drugs such as Cortisone derivatives. Even worse is the Pneumocystis carina pneumonia found in AIDS patients or HIV carriers.

Treatment
Once the diagnosis is established, specific treatment should be instituted promptly. Cooling measures can be used for high fevers. Pneumonia patients must be adequately hydrated. Usually this can be done by mouth. Water, fruit juices, and diluted soups are most helpful to maintain hydration. These also enable the mucus to be thinned, making expectoration less difficult. Steam inhalation with a moist steam vaporizer is helpful to bring up the secretions. Eucalyptus oil or other inhalant additives can be used to enhance its value.

Hot packs are extremely useful when applied to the chest in a manner similar to the general hydrotherapy approach described in chapter seventeen. These alternating hot and cold treatments may be repeated two to three times daily. In critical cases fomentations may be given more often for brief periods to enhance the circulation and clearing mechanism inherent in the lungs. Postural draining helps to clear secretions.

A spare fruit and juice diet is advantageous in the early stages to enable the body to concentrate on attacking the invading germs and winning the battle for survival. It is important to note that viral pneumonias are entirely unresponsive to antibiotics and most fungal infections respond poorly also.

Because pneumonia is typically contagious, it should be diagnosed whenever possible and isolation measures instituted. Cough into a tissue and dispose of it immediately. That is usually sufficient to trap the expectorated germs and prevent contagion. Adequate sunlight in the sick room helps to kill germs, as well as purify the air. Some fresh air should be circulating in the sick room, even if this means utilizing a little more heat. Cold drafts, however, should be kept away from the sick individual, as a chill may provoke a relapse more serious that the first infection.

Persisting in these measures for many days can cure all but the most stubborn cases of pneumonia. When complications such as advanced asthma, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease are superimposed on the underlying pneumonia, a physician should be consulted to perform the appropriate laboratory tests and supervise the treatment of any serious illnesses.

It is so very rewarding to see these infectious diseases improve with the use of these simple treatments. It was observed many times that patients treated naturally develop better resistance and more healthful, long-term consequences in their lungs that comparable cases where antibiotics and other drugs are used prematurely and without adequate consideration of the causes and abnormal physiologic mechanisms involved.