Peppermint Eucalyptus And Fenugreek Tea
Many warm herbal teas can help soothe a scratchy throat, but herbs may be more beneficial.
A 2011 study found that herbs, including peppermint and eucalyptus, had a soothing effect on the throats of people with upper respiratory tract infections. These herbs may help break up mucus and ease the pain and inflammation caused by pneumonia.
A review from 2018 notes that fenugreek seeds might help break down mucus. A tea made from ground fenugreek seeds may therefore ease a persistent cough.
Eucalyptus and tea tree oils may also help relieve coughs. People can use these in a diffuser. However, they should try limiting their exposure at first, to ensure that the use of oils does not worsen their symptoms.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Pneumonia
“Pneumonia is a serious illness that can take quite a toll on a person’s lungs and body. It can take anywhere from a week to several months to fully recover from it,” says Dr. Rayman Lee, pulmonologist at Houston Methodist.
The length of time it takes for you to recover from pneumonia is influenced by:
- Your age
- The severity of your illness
- Whether you have other health conditions
- The type of pneumonia
If you’re generally healthy and have only a mild case of pneumonia, your symptoms should begin to improve one to two days after starting treatment.
“Most people with mild pneumonia are able to return to their everyday activities in a week, although fatigue and cough can linger for an entire month,” says Dr. Lee.
Recovery timelines become more murky for people who have severe pneumonia.
“For more serious cases that require hospitalization, we’re not only focused on clearing the infection, we’re also focused on preventing or treating complications that can develop including difficulty breathing, fluid buildup in the lungs, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and lung abscesses,” warns Dr. Lee.
Pneumonia and its complications can wreak havoc on a person’s lungs and body. And, it can take anywhere from one to six months for a person to recover and regain strength after being hospitalized for pneumonia.
Maintenance Of Tissue Structural Integration Supports Regeneration
In parallel with the local immune response, tissue cells are stimulated to secrete extracellular matrix components and the proteases needed to remodel it. Cells proliferate and/or differentiate, and finally, excess cells undergo apoptosis in response to a reduction in the local levels of growth factors, resulting in the reforming of the previous tissue architecture. Tissue regeneration is dependent on a supply of cells from adjacent healthy tissue or precursor cell populations. The likelihood that such cells are available is related in part to the level of damage, natural history and possibly the age of the individual. If the stimuli which initiated the healing microenvironment are not reduced, cellular responses continue and this sustains the activation and differentiation of myofibroblasts. Consequently, repair processes dominate, and the damaged tissue is replaced mostly with fibrous scar tissue.
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What Happens If Antibiotics Don’t Work For Pneumonia
Contact your GP or 111 online if your symptoms do not improve within 3 days of starting antibiotics. Symptoms may not improve if: the bacteria causing the infection is resistant to antibiotics a GP may prescribe a different antibiotic, or they may prescribe a second antibiotic for you to take with the first one.
Pneumonia Recovery: Helpful Tips
Getting adequate rest, managing symptoms, staying hydrated and eating properly can help promote a quicker recovery from pneumonia. In some cases, breathing exercises taught by a respiratory therapist can aid in healing and recovery. Stopping smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke will also help speed recovery.
Taking antibiotics as directed for as long as directed can also help prevent relapse if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria. Not completing a course of antibiotics can also increase chances of developing antibiotic resistance if you need to take this type of antibiotic again in the future, so its important to finish medication as directed. Note that a cough may persist for up to 3 weeks after finishing antibiotics.
A chest X-ray following the completion of antibiotics can help determine if the lung infection has cleared up.
If pneumonia is caused by a virus or fungal infection, other medications are needed.
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What Is Pneumonia Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention
Pneumonia is a lower respiratory lung infection that causes inflammation in one or both lungs.
Air sacs in your lungs called alveoli can then fill up with fluid or pus, causing flu-like symptoms that can persist for weeks or cause rapid deterioration of breathing leading to hospitalization. Pneumonia doesn’t respond to over-the-counter cold and sinus medicines.
Pneumonia comes in different forms and is caused primarily by bacteria or viruses, which are contagious, and less commonly by fungi or parasites.
The type of germ contributes to how serious the illness can become and how its treated. The severity of an infection depends on many factors, including your age and overall health, as well as where you may have acquired the illness.
Tips For Regaining Your Strength After Severe Pneumonia
- Get plenty of rest
- Slowly start moving around once you’re ready but don’t overdo it
- Complete any treatments prescribed by your doctor
- Eat a nutritious diet
- Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
- Limit exposure to throat irritants, including pollution and alcohol
- Perform deep breathing exercises
- Consult with your doctor before returning to exercise
Aim to slowly work back into your usual routine and be sure to take note of any signs that the infection may be coming back.
“Pneumonia can be incredibly taxing and there’s no one-size-fits-all to recovery. Some people feel better in about six weeks, but it can take several months for others to feel better after severe pneumonia,” adds Dr. Lee. “Most importantly, be patient with your body.”
If your recovery is prolonged, a specialized program focused on pulmonary rehabilitation may help get you back on track.
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An Early Response Matters
The disruption of tissue homeostasis caused by damage rapidly changes the local microenvironment adjacent to the damaged lung. The wound environment becomes positive for molecules derived from pathogens which contaminate it and from the intracellular environment of dying cells. The survival advantage given by the rapid detection of tissue damage has driven the evolution of cellular receptors that recognise conserved structural elements frequently found in pathogens and on intracellular cell components that are only released following damage. Such receptors are termed pattern recognition receptors and include the Tolllike receptors and the retinoic acidinducible gene I like receptors. Molecules derived from pathogens and recognised by specific PRR are called pathogenassociated molecular patterns , whilst ligands that derived from damaged host cells are known as dangerassociated molecular patterns .
How Can I Prevent Aspiration Pneumonia Or Reduce My Risk Of Getting Aspiration Pneumonia
Things that you can do to reduce your risk of aspiration pneumonia include the following:
- Avoid drinking alcohol to excess and using recreational drugs. These can affect your ability to swallow.
- Stay upright when you are eating.
- Chew slowly and completely.
- If you have problems swallowing , talk to your healthcare provider. They might need to change or adjust your diet or medication. They can also order tests or refer you to a speech professional or swallowing specialist.
- Dont smoke or use nicotine products.
- Take good care of your teeth.
Read Also: Difference Between Viral And Bacterial Pneumonia
Positioning Exercises To Clear Phlegm
Your lungs have 5 lobes in total and phlegm can be in any of these.
Positioning exercises use gravity to help clear phlegm that has built up in your lobes.
How effective they are will depend on the thickness or stickiness of your phlegm. It may be harder to clear thick phlegm. These exercises may not work if your phlegm is very thick and sticky.
Wait for at least 1 hour after a large meal before starting these exercises. Stop an exercise if you have heartburn or feel sick during it.
Favorite Orgs That Can Help Fight Pneumonia
Those over age 65 have a higher risk of getting pneumonia than younger adults. They may be especially susceptible to community-acquired pneumonia, spread among large populations of elderly people in settings such as assisted living facilities. This organization, devoted to finding the best products and services for seniors, publishes advice on how older adults should handle prevention and care.
Influenza is a common cause of pneumonia. Several national healthcare organizations and the CDC are collaborating in an effort called United Against the Flu to stress the importance of getting immunized. The groups website supplies resources and details on the vaccination.
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How To Regain Your Strength After Pneumonia
While recovering from mild pneumonia, be sure to:
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Slowly work back into your exercise routine
“Physical activity can help your lungs regain strength but go slow. Start with light exercise and stop if your cough worsens or you have trouble breathing. If a light workout feels okay, you can put a little more effort into your next workout,” says Dr. Lee.
However, Dr. Lee’s advice for someone recovering from severe pneumonia looks quite different.
“The first thing to realize is that your body may be extremely weak after being discharged from the hospital, so you’ll need to take extra care leaning on your support network, if possible,” says Dr. Lee.
A Skilled Nursing Facility Offers Safety And Comfort
If youve been hospitalized from pneumonia, its important to understand that release from the hospital only means youre no longer in critical condition it does not mean you have recovered. In fact, as mentioned above, it could be weeks or even months before you regain your strength and feel like yourself again. Transitioning into a skilled nursing facility between the hospital and home ensures that you get the care you need while you recover in a safe, nurturing environment.
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Word Of Advice For A Pneumonia Patient
The diet of a Pneumonia patient should be strictly monitored. It is advisable for them to consume healthy and nutritious food during the recovery period from pneumonia. Habits and practices, such as smoking tobacco and consumption of alcohol should be avoided. A good amount of rest and optimum number of sleeping hours is a mandate for pneumonia patients. These precautionary measures also help in minimizing the possibility of post recovery complications.
To sum it upâ¦..
Hence, it is apt to say that a person should take proper precautions to avoid suffering from pneumonia. All causes that play a significant role in the person catching a pneumonia virus should be immediately recognized and dealt with. Like a general fever, it is understood that even in the case of pneumonia, one should be more proactive than reactive in the avoidance, recovery and post recovery period of pneumonia.
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Can Pneumonia Be Treated
Yes, with antibiotics to kill the bug and by giving the patient additional oxygen to boost the oxygen level in the blood. Most bacteria are killed readily by antibiotic treatments, although antibiotic resistance can be a problem on occasions. Some viruses and fungi are actually quite hard to kill with antibiotics, but these infections are rare unless someone has a weakened immune system. Pneumonia occasionally can lead to infection of the surface of the lung, called empyema, and this may need insertion of a tube to drain the infected fluid or even surgery. COVID-19 causes the immune system to over-react to the presence of the virus leading to more lung inflammation than is needed to kill the virus it is treated with drugs that reduce the inflammatory response to the viral infection including dexamethasone, a steroid.
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Who Is Most Likely To Get Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is more common among people who:
- Have had general anesthesia or dental procedures.
- Have trouble coughing or trouble swallowing. Trouble swallowing is known as dysphagia. These issues are more common among people with brain injury or nervous system disorders like Parkinsons disease or multiple sclerosis.
- Have been drinking or taking drugs to excess.
- Are older . Aspiration pneumonia is more common among people who live in nursing homes.
- Have weak immune systems due to some illness, or underdeveloped immune systems due to being very young .
Targeting The Inflammatory Cascade To Treat Lung Disease
The identification of DAMP and PAMP as molecules critical to the initiation and maintaining of inflammation has prompted preclinical studies to assess the effectiveness of DAMP/PAMP blockade in the resolving inflammation. Whilst not technically a DAMP, IL1 is an important part of the signalling amplification that follows DAMP or PAMP activation of the inflammasome complex. There are three types of reagents targeting IL1 that have been evaluated for antiinflammatory activity in the context of lung diseases: anakinra is an IL1 receptor antagonist, MEDI8968 is a humanised antiIL1R antibody, and canakinumab is an antiIL1 blocking antibody. Whilst these approaches have been used successfully in murine models to reduce IL1associated inflammation and despite canakinumab and anakinra showing efficacy in the treatment of the rare inflammatory disease adultonset Stills disease, no improved lung function measures have been detected in COPD clinical trials patients utilising canakinumab or MEDI8968. A recently completed clinical trial assessing the efficacy of canakinumab in the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis has not yet reported, whilst there is a proposed study to assess the efficacy of anakinra in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
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What Can You Do
For people with significant lung damage, Han says that working with a respiratory therapist is advisable. After completing the breathing tests to get a baseline, therapists can start patients on a series of exercises to build the accessory respiratory muscles over the course of four to six weeks.
Regardless of the severity of COVID-19 infection, many people are now looking for ways to lessen the effects of major lung injuries such as shortness of breath.
During the height of the pandemic, Han points out that many people started checking their blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter, which can give them an idea of whether its safe for them to start working toward normal health goals again.
“If you really want to double-check, using a pulse oximeter at home is a great tool,” says Han. “If you’re in the 9599% range, it’s fairly safe to assume that you can try to build your fitness levels back to normal.”
Beyond specific exercises, Han suggests people start with sustained aerobic exercises at a lower intensity, such as walking or cycling. When those exercises can be completed without struggle for a few weeks, they can increase the intensity incrementally until they’ve reached normal intensity levels.
Why Does Recovery Take So Long
Almost everyone who comes down with pneumonia will ask themselves or their healthcare provider at least once, Why does it take so long to recover from pneumonia? After all, you felt better within a few days of starting your antibiotic or, in some cases, steroid treatment. Like everything else in medicine, there are many reasons why it takes so long to recover.
When bacteria enters your body, your body goes into defense mode to remove it. Somewhere along the line, you start your antibiotics, and in a few days, you feel better. This improvement is because the bacteria has been dealt with. However, your body is now in cleanup mode, removing all the debrislike the mucus in your lungs.
Your body starts working overtime to clear out all the trash left behind. Your body is using multiple mechanisms to move the mucus out of your lungs. This movement is why you experience a productive cough.
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What Is Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is pneumonia that is caused by something other than air being inhaled into your respiratory tract. These non-air substances can be food, liquid, saliva, stomach contents, toxins or even a small foreign object.
Theres also a condition called aspiration pneumonitis which is caused by the same type of thing happening but there is only inflammation and irritation, not infection. Its difficult to tell the two conditions apart.
Other names for aspiration pneumonia include anaerobic pneumonia, necrotizing pneumonia and aspiration of vomitus.
How Is Aspiration Pneumonia Treated
Aspiration pneumonia is treated primarily with antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics depends on several things, including any allergies to penicillin and where the pneumonia was acquired. Hospital-acquired infections must be treated with antibiotics that are effective against many types of bacteria.
Even though aspiration pneumonitis isnt an infection, your provider may start antibiotic therapy, depending on the clinical situation and underlying medical conditions.
Additional treatment might include oxygen therapy or, in life-threatening cases, mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation means that a machine is breathing for you.
Preventing further aspiration is an important part of treatment, since every episode of aspiration can lead to inflammation or infection.
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What Is Covid Pneumonia
Dr. Lee: Pneumonia occurs when a bacterial or viral infection causes significant damage and inflammation in the lungs. The resulting fluid and debris build-up makes it hard for a person to breathe sometimes to such an extent that oxygen therapy or ventilator support is required. Regardless of the bacteria or virus causing it, pneumonia can become very serious, even life-threatening.
In the case of COVID pneumonia, the damage to the lungs is caused by the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
When COVID pneumonia develops, it causes additional symptoms, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
What’s more is that COVID pneumonia often occurs in both lungs, rather than just one lung or the other. Additionally, the widespread inflammation that occurs in some people with COVID-19 can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome a severe type of lung failure.
Like other respiratory infections that cause pneumonia, COVID-19 can cause short-term lung damage. In more severe cases, the damage can last a long time. In fact, early data is showing that up to a third of COVID pneumonia patients have evidence of scarring on X-rays or lung testing a year after the infection.