Pneumonia and its care

June 27, 2008 | By gunjan In Cold, Cough and Winters, General Wellbeing, Herbs and Spices |

I have a habit - I drink chilled water … near the refrigerator, directly from the bottle.

My mom has a habit : She warns me not to do so, as soon as I walk towards the refrigerator. She has been doing so since I first walked down.

The reason for this warning is nothing but a fear factor my mom has regarding for my health. She wants to protect me from the dreadful cold, influenza and perhaps even pneumonia.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious state of the lungs. It is caused when micro-organisms in form of virus, bacteria and fungi attack the lungs. These are parasites which harm the human body and utilize the nutrients and tissues for their own existence. This causes a detrimental effect on the body which is much more detrimental than a mild cold or cough, its an infectious state in form of pneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza are some micro organisms which cause this infection.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

The human body responds to any foreign agent by a self defense system. In the case of any mild infection or common cold, the body reacts to it in form of a cough through which the toxins and foreign agents are expelled out of the body. However, in the case of pneumonia, the body loses its immune power and hence the power to expel out the irritants and toxins is lost. This causes the infectious substances and secretions of the parasites to get accumulated in the respiratory tract, mainly the lungs. The colour of this cough is also characteristic as it is not the transparent mucus secreted by a patient of common cold. A deep yellow or even perhaps a greenish shade is seen in the cough if it is expelled with great persistence of the patient. The agony of the patient doesn’t stop with congestion and wheezing alone. A high temperature on account of the infection is very common. Moreover, loss of appetite and exhaustion are seen among pneumonia patients.The most common symptoms of pneumonia are shortness of breath; chest pain, especially when breathing in; coughing; shallow, rapid breathing; and fever and chills. Coughs usually bring up mucus, also called sputum. The sputum may even be streaked with blood or pus. In serious cases, the patient’s lips or nail bed will appear blue due to lack of oxygen.

Diagnosis

Blood tests along with x-ray reports where a patch is identified on the lungs help in the diagnosis of pneumonia. However, practitioners may even identify the problem by physical symptoms.

Who is more prone to be infected

Since previous illness and advanced age both reduce the immunity of a person, these are factors which increase the risk of capturing the pneumonia bacteria. Asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, advanced age and other such chronic diseases are some factors which increase this risk. However, people above 65 years have an option of administering anti pneumonia vaccine by which they can prevent this menace.

Natural treatment for Pneumonia

1. Fenugreek: In the initial stages of the infection tea made with fenugreek seeds help in perspiration and removal of toxins from the body. This tea can be taken three to four times a day. During this treatment no other food should be taken.
2. Garlic in pure form relieves the respiratory symptoms very soon.
3. Sesame seeds when infused with water and mixed with linseed oil help in relieving the phlegm from the body. Salt and honey when mixed with the infusion help in this at a faster rate.
4. Carrot juice , spinach juice and beet root juice also help in the relief of symptoms.
5. The pain experienced on the chest can be relieved by rubbing turpentine oil on the rib cage.

Mothers are always right in protecting their children, hope they would make use of these guidelines need be!!