Monday, August 25, 2008

LOBAR PNEUMONIA

Lobar pneumonia is an acute form of infection. It is caused by the Pneumococcus bacterium. The generic name of this bacterium is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Lobar pneumonia usually follows an extreme form of viral respiratory infection, particularly of the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms of lobar pneumonia are chest pain during breathing, or cough and fever accompanied by chill and shaking. The patient’s body temperature hovers around 104° F (roughly 40° C). The sputum is blood streaked. Notably, most of the deaths before the invention of antibiotics were due to lobar pneumonia. Lobar pneumonia generally attacks a lung lobe or a portion of it. At times, lobar pneumonia strikes both the lungs; then it is known as double pneumonia
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ALLERGIC

An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people.
When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in persons who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to other people, you are having an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."
Austrian pediatrician Clemens Pirquet (1874-1929) first used the term allergy. He referred to both immunity that was beneficial and to the harmful hypersensitivity as "allergy." The word allergy is derived from the Greek words "allos," meaning different or changed and "ergos," meaning work or action. Allergy roughly refers to an "altered reaction." The word allergy was first used in 1905 to describe the adverse reactions of children who were given repeated shots of horse serum to fight infection. The following year, the term allergy was proposed to explain this unexpected "changed reactivity."

From: MedicineNet.Com

PNEUMONIA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lung.[1] Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolar inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid. (The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere.) Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs. Its cause may also be officially described as idiopathic—that is, unknown—when infectious causes have been excluded.
Typical symptoms associated with pneumonia include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing. Diagnostic tools include x-rays and examination of the sputum. Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia; bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Pneumonia is a common illness which occurs in all age groups, and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and people who are chronically and terminally ill. Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. The prognosis depends on the type of pneumonia, the appropriate treatment, any complications, and the person's underlying health.

Prevention

There are several ways to help prevent infections that can develop into pneumonia. The easiest is to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth 2-3 times per day and flossing daily. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Other suggestions to help prevent pneumonia include the following:
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
If you smoke, take steps to quit. Talk with a health care provider about resources that are available to help.
Wear a dust mask or appropriate ventilator in environments that contain dust, animal dander, or chemical fumes.
Talk with a health care provider about vaccines that can help prevent pneumonia.
If you have a cold or the flu, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Protect others by washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.
Studies of children in developing countries show that fewer cases of pneumonia were reported after foods that contain the mineral zinc were added to the diet. Lean red meat, seafood, beans, and whole grains contain zinc. Ask a health care provider for more information.
Know the symptoms of pneumonia and seek medical attention as soon as possible if these symptoms develop.

From: HealthCommunities.Com