SPECIFIC GROUPS
1 - 6
<
>
CONDITIONS
SYMPTOM CHECKER
Male
Female
Child
Arm, Hand & Shoulder Concerns
Legs & Feet Concerns
Dental & Mouth Concerns
Ear & Nose
Eye Conditions
Head Conditions
Arm, Hand & Shoulder Concerns
Legs & Feet Concerns
Front
Back
Arm, Hand & Shoulder Concerns
Dental & Mouth Concerns
Ear & Nose
Eye Conditions
Head Conditions
Arm, Hand & Shoulder Concerns
Dental & Mouth Concerns
Ear & Nose
Eye Conditions
Head Conditions
Front
Back
Arm, Hand & Shoulder Concerns
Neck Links
Head & Neck Concerns
Arm, Hand & Shoulder Concerns
Neck Links
Head & Neck Concerns
Front
Back
Online Clinic
Wise Healthcare
Pneumonia
Print on Demand
RELATED ARTICLES
Pneumonia is lung inflammation. It is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., especially in the elderly.
Signs & Symptoms
Bronchitis
• Chest pain when breathing in.
• Fever and chills.
• Cough, often with bloody, dark yellow, green, or rust-colored sputum.
• Shortness of breath. Rapid breathing.
• Appetite loss.
• Fatigue. Headache. Nausea. Vomiting.
• Bluish lips and fingertips, if severe.
Viral or bacterial infections are the most common causes. Other causes are fungal infections and chemical irritants like inhaled poisonous gases.
Risk Factors
• Having had pneumonia before.
• Being in the hospital for other problems.
• A suppressed cough reflex after a stroke.
• Smoking.
• Very poor diet, alcoholism, or drug use.
• A recent respiratory infection.
• Emphysema. Chronic bronchitis.
• Radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and any medication or illness that wears down the immune system.
Treatment
Treatment depends on its type (viral, bacterial, or chemical) and location. Treatment includes:
Questions to Ask
Question 1
Do you have severe shortness of breath and/or blue or purple-colored lips and fingertips?
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
Question 2
Do you have signs and symptoms of pneumonia listed on this page?
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Use Self-Care / Prevention:
You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.
Self-Care / Prevention
• Get vaccines for influenza and pneumonia.
• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer in the room(s) in which you spend most of your time.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Take the medicine for pain and/or fever that your doctor advises. Over-the-counter pain relievers should be avoided for some types of bacterial pneumonia.
This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.
The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.
The content on this website is proprietary. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute, in any manner, the material on the website without the written permission of AIPM.
2021 © American Institute for Preventive Medicine - All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | www.HealthyLife.com
