Pneumonia can be FATAL

          

In Singapore, pneumonia is a leading cause of death and hospitalization of which the severity cannot be underestimated with most admittances made direct to the Intensive Card Unit.  Elderly patients can die from this disease due to overwhelming infection and multi-organ failure.

Do not confuse it with bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the breathing tube, resulting from infectious or non-infectious causes. However left unattended, it can develop into pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a more serious condition as it interferes with the normal exchange of gases within the lung, leading to low blood oxygen levels and impaired carbon dioxide removal from the body. Filled with stagnant fluids and pathogens, the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed.

 

Cause

 

The bacteria involved known as streptoccoccus pneumonia bacteria is present in the nose and throat without posing a threat.  However in an unhealthy individual, bacteria can be picked up through air droplets such as from cough, sneeze or through close contact with an infected person.

Other infectious agents like virus, fungus and mycoplasma can also cause pneumonia but not as dangerous as the bacterial pneumonia. Some examples are H1N1 virus, SAR virus, AIDS virus, tuberculosis bacteria and candida fungi that attack those with a weakened immune system.

Signs & symptoms

Once infected, the bacteria multiply quickly and infiltrate the air sacs in the lungs (either one or two lobes) causing inflammation. Filling with pus and mucus, oxygen is prevented from reaching the blood. Early symptoms include fever, persistent coughs, chest pains and breathlessness.

The patient’s condition can worsen dramatically in a couple of days. In critical cases, it can lead to death or severe disabilities such as brain damage and paralysis. On prolonged treatment, it can cause varying degrees of irreversible scarring and damage to the lungs.

+  Elderly people are more vulnerable to getting pneumonia because of the weakening of the body’s protective mechanism.  Coughing helps to expel germs from the lung but this response gets weaker with age. As a result, fluids or secretions trapped in their lungs cannot be easily expelled from the body. This is made worst for elderly patients who are bedridden. Lying flat limits the expansion of the chest wall and allows the lungs to collect more fluids and bacterial secretions.

+  As signs are not carefully observed and thus overlooked, early detection may not be possible.  Initial signs to look out for are confusion, lost of appetite, muscle aches, feeling lethargic or having urination problems.  Delayed action can cause lung inflammation and spell danger. If the lung tissue is destroyed, it is unable to absorb any oxygen and may need ventilator support aid to deliver high oxygen content to the stiffened lungs.  At this stage, the patient may complain of shortness of breath, chest pain and bad coughing.

+  The chance of survival from pneumonia resulting from respiratory failure or complications to other organs is only half. When the body is battling an infection, other organs may also suffer stress, due to blood poisoning or septic shock that can lead to multi-organ failure. There are instances of kidney disease and inflammation of the heart muscle may develop.

+  Risk of pneumonia rises for those with a weakened immune system, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection, seizure or stroke, kidney failure or allergies. Kids are not spared for that matter.

Precaution/treatment

+  Other than seeking help early, one can also prevent chest infections by having complete rest but stay active. Have plenty of fluids. Avoid processed foods and eat only fruits and vegetables eg. ginger, honey, garlic, figs, onion (exclude gas-producing vegs like broccoli and cauliflower). Also eat properly to avoid food lodged in lungs.

+  Once recognised symptoms are detected that do not go away after 48 hours, patients should undergo a chest  X-ray examination to determine if infected by the deadly bacteria. However, note that extensive testing can only reveal its cause in about 60% of all cases examined.

+  A vaccine is available against influenza as it may develop into pneumonia especially for those 65 years old and above.  As for treatment with antibiotics against the streptoccoccus pneumonia bacteria, the recent findings observed an increase in antibiotic resistance.  Not sure why Asia is reported to show the highest level of antibiotic resistance in the world?  You can only suspect that those friendly bacteria protecting your health is diminishing at an accelerated pace and is time to top up!

Recommendation

Under such tough condition:

-  the innate immune response is evaded;
-  interferon production is disturbed

recovery is far from easy. Arresting the failing condition is critical.

Source: Extract from The Straits Times, Mind Your Body, pg 12 (28^th Oct 2010)  & Prescription to Natural Healing

VIVA Corner

VIVA Biogarlic contains an important ingredient Allicin that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and shows a great efficacy against respiratory infections by strengthening the T-cell and Macrophage, thus enhancing the bioactivity of natural killer cells.

VIVA Liquick Gingko helps to increase oxygen intake and eliminate toxins.

VIVAshield, a powerful 4 in 1 antioxidants enhances immunity and promotes repair of lung tissues.

VIVA Oxypower enhances cellular oxygen utilisation and supports the immune system’s detoxification of dangerous substances.

VIVA Germanium is a fast booster for the immunity, enhances the oxygen intake to the cells in the lungs and relieves pain for advanced sufferers.

VIVA Floraguard with its 5 strains of potent bacteria establishes a protective layer against pathogenic infection to prevent further outbreak. It also promotes healthy growth of natural killer cells.

VIVA Dailyguard is a powerful multi-vitamins to meet nutritional deficiency.