Each time you breathe, the air enters through the trachea and then towards a series of channels called the bronchi to finally reach small air pockets called alveoli.
The lungs contain approximately 600 million alveoli covering an area of approximately 75m2, the equivalent of a tennis court.
These small pockets which are only one cell facilitate an essential exchange: they allow the oxygen contained in the air we breathe to be transported through the bloodstream to remove carbon dioxide.
Pneumonia blocks this exchange.
Contents
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the alveoli that fills them with fluid.
Different pathogens can cause pneumonia:
The most common are viruses and bacteria.
These microscopic invaders infiltrate the body through droplets carried in the air we breathe or when we touch our eyes, our skin, our nose, our mouth after being in contact with a contaminated surface.
They must then face the first line of defense of the respiratory system: the mucociliary system.
The mucociliary apparatus of the airways consist of mucus responsible for trapping invaders and tiny hairs called the bronchial cilia that carry the mucus to the mouth to be expelled by coughing.
But some of these malicious invaders manage to break through the barrier of the mucociliary system into the lungs.
They then meet the alveoli.
And since the alveoli serve primarily the exchange between blood and outside inspired air, they are endowed with specialized white blood cells, the macrophages, which protect against foreign bodies by wrapping them to destroy them.
When pathogens enter the lungs, macrophages activate to repel the attack.
The immune system adds extra white blood cells to the alveoli to aid in the battle.
When these immune cells fight pathogens, they generate inflammation and the diffusion of a fluid linked to this same inflammation.
And when this liquid invades the area, gas exchange in the alveoli becomes complicated.
The level of carbon dioxide increases in the bloodstream.
The rate of breathing quickens to try to get more oxygen.
Symptoms of pneumonia
This rapid breathing and the shortness of breath it induces is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia.
The body is desperately trying to expel fluid from the alveoli by activating the cough mechanism.
High fever with chills and general malaise is required.
Throbbing chest pain appears on one side just by breathing or coughing.
Treatment of pneumonia
Determining the cause of pneumonia can be difficult, but once diagnosed, the physician prescribes antibiotics and treatment including antibacterials and antivirals.
Treatment with antibiotics can help control bacterial infection.
As soon as pathogens are destroyed, the body expels or absorbs fluid and dead cells.
How long does pneumonia last?
The worst symptoms of pneumonia begin to subside in about a week but full recovery is not achieved until after a month.
A healthy adult can treat and manage pneumonia at home.
But for some people, pneumonia can be much more severe requiring hospitalization, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and all kinds of help to encourage the body to fight infection.
Triggers of pneumonia
-
Tobacco and pneumonia
Smoking damages the bronchial cilia, making them less effective at clearing mucus and normal secretions.
At the time of pneumonia, their role becomes ineffective.
-
Genetic and autoimmune diseases
These diseases make people more vulnerable to attack by pathogens.
-
Young children and the elderly
Both of these risk groups have poor immune systems and difficulty passing secretions.
-
Viral pneumonia
Viral involvement increases the risk of bacterial respiratory infection.
How to prevent pneumonia?
Like many health problems, diet, sleep, and regular physical activity helps your body fight infections.
Likewise, frequent hand washing stops the spread of bacteria and protects the most vulnerable from this condition.
Home remedies for pneumonia
Some studies show that certain vitamins and supplements can have a positive impact on the lungs.
-
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and vasodilator properties, but it is also controversial when it comes to pneumonia.
Indeed, recent studies tend to demonstrate its very positive impact on the prevention of this condition but only for the elderly who have never smoked or ex-smokers and keep a regular physical activity.
On the other hand, it is very contraindicated for smokers and people who are too sedentary.
For those who may benefit, taking vitamin E has been shown to decrease the risk of developing chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD).
The recommended dosage of vitamin E is 15mg (22.5IU) for an adult per day, a dosage easily reached by food (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, seeds, sunflower oils, corn, soybeans, margarine, whole grains).
-
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for the immune system.
It supports the regeneration of cells in the body and thus helps in the natural repair process of lung tissue.
But be careful, vitamin A should be consumed in moderation as it is potentially toxic.
It may be better to eat foods high in vitamin A such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, kale…
-
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can repel and expel toxins generated by tobacco.
It helps repair damaged tissue.
It is moreover a very powerful antiviral agent while exerting a major antioxidant activity.
In the case of pneumonia, vitamin C has an important preventive action and can significantly reduce the duration of the disease.
The maximum allowable intake for an adult is 2000mg per day.
Prefer a liposomal vitamin C supplement (#ad) which is much more absorbable by the body.
-
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has a major role in the reduction of respiratory diseases, from colds to pneumonia via Covid19.
It strengthens the immune system and reduces excessive inflammation, even during an acute attack.
To get all of its benefits, it is best to take it at a dose of 2000-5000IU every day.
Opt for a vitamin D3 soft gels supplement like this (#ad).
It is best assimilated when associated with a fatty substance and ingested during a meal.
-
Zinc
Zinc directly helps fight pneumonia.
It is linked to the immune system and is very active in bacterial infections.
Recent studies (particularly related to Covid 19) show that zinc intervenes directly at sites of infections to exert pressure on bacteria and works with immune cells to destroy them.
This trace element is essential for effective disease reduction and to support immune function.
12mg zinc per day (#ad) for men and 10mg for women are recommended.
-
N-acetyl cysteine
Acetylcysteine is frequently prescribed to thin bronchial secretions and evacuate them more easily.
Nevertheless, it also has an antioxidant action that significantly reduces oxidative stress while minimizing the inflammatory factors of pneumonia.
You can ask your doctor for a prescription.
Acetylcysteine recommended dosage is 600 to 1500mg per day.
-
Omega 3
Compounds derived from Omega 3 fatty acids – and especially those derived from fish oil such as salmon – help fight lung infections.
They are particularly indicated to fight bacterial pneumonia.
Their anti-inflammatory action is powerful and does not prevent the expulsion of bacteria by suppressing the cough like conventional medicines.
The dosage of Omega 3 fatty acids (#ad) not to be exceeded is 3 grams per day.
Why can pneumonia be dangerous?
This respiratory condition compromises gas exchange in the alveoli and reduces oxygen levels in the blood.
In an extreme case, the affected person is, therefore, unable to breathe normally and must be taken care of by medical assistance.
It is very important to treat pneumonia with antibiotics when it is bacterial.
It may also be wise to combine vitamins and trace elements that will support drugs to strengthen the immune system in its fight against infection.
As for contagion, remember that bacterial pneumococcal pneumonia is not very contagious and viral pneumonia is more so.
* Read More:
How to stop coughing naturally?
){kind=link}