Be careful: 11 symptoms of pneumonia you must not miss
'08.05.2020'
Source: Life hacker
Be especially careful if ARVI, having barely stepped back, returns, recommends Lifehacker.
Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease of the lungs. As a rule, it is caused by viruses (for example, influenza virus) or bacteria (including representatives of the normal microflora of the human upper respiratory tract). These microorganisms penetrate into the lungs against the background of a decrease in immunity. Often - right after SARS.
That is why it is difficult to diagnose pneumonia: it is very similar to the flu or other respiratory infection, the continuation of which is.
When you need to urgently call an ambulance
Sometimes infected lung tissue can no longer supply the body with the necessary amount of oxygen. Because of this, the cardiovascular system and other vital organs, including the brain, are seriously affected and even fail. Such pneumonia is called severe.
Urgently seek help if the following symptoms are added to a common cold:
- Breathing increased to 30 breaths per minute (one breath in 2 seconds or more).
- Systolic (upper) pressure dropped below 90 mm Hg. Art.
- Diastolic (lower) pressure dropped below 60 mm Hg. Art.
- There was confusion: the patient reacts languidly to the environment, slowly answers questions, is poorly oriented in space.
If there are no threatening symptoms, but you still have thoughts about pneumonia, check our checklist.
How to distinguish pneumonia from the common cold
1. Your condition first improved and then worsened
We already mentioned that pneumonia often develops as a complication after an upper respiratory tract disease.
First you catch the flu or other SARS. While the body is fighting infection, viruses or bacteria that live in the nasopharynx penetrate the lungs. After a few days, you defeat the initial disease: its symptoms - fever, runny nose, cough, headache - decrease, it makes you feel better.
But viruses or bacteria in the lungs continue to multiply. After a few days, there are so many of them that the tired immune system finally notices inflammation. And reacts violently to him. It looks like a cold has returned with renewed vigor - with more distinct and unpleasant symptoms.
On the subject: Differences between bronchitis and pneumonia: what signs should alert you
2. Temperature above 40 ° C (104 ° F)
Fever with pneumonia is much stronger than with a common cold. With SARS, the temperature rises to about 38 ° C (100,4 ° F), with influenza - up to 38-39 ° C (100,4-102,2 ° F). But pneumonia often makes itself felt threatening temperature values - up to 40 ° C (104 ° F) and above. This condition is usually accompanied by chills.
3. You sweat a lot
If you do not move much and this is not a sauna, you have a strong fever. Sweat evaporates to help reduce extreme temperatures.
4. You have completely lost your appetite
Appetite is associated with the severity of the disease. With a mild cold, the digestive system continues to work as usual - a person wants to eat. But if we are talking about more severe cases, the body throws all its forces into the fight against infection. And temporarily “turns off” the digestive tract so as not to waste energy on the digestive process.
5. You often cough
It seems even more often than at the beginning of the disease. Coughing with pneumonia can be either dry or wet. He talks about irritation of the respiratory tract and lungs.
6. When coughing, sputum sometimes appears.
In pneumonia, the alveoli — small vesicles in the lungs that take in air when inhaled — are filled with fluid or pus.
Forcing you to cough, the body is trying to get rid of this "filling." If this succeeds, you coughing, you may notice mucus on the scarf - yellowish, greenish or bloody.
7. Do you notice stitching chest pain
Most often, when you cough or try to take a deep breath. Such pain indicates pulmonary edema - one or both. Having increased in size due to swelling, the affected organ begins to put pressure on the nerve endings around it. This causes pain.
8. You have shortness of breath easily
Shortness of breath is a sign that your body lacks oxygen. If your breathing quickens, even when you just get out of bed to go to the toilet or pour yourself some tea, this could be a sign of serious lung problems.
9. Heartbeat increased
Normally, the pulse in adults is 60-100 beats per minute. However, everyone has their own norm, and it would be worth knowing at least approximately.
For example, if before your pulse in a calm state did not exceed 80 beats per minute, and now you notice that it jumps for a hundred, this is a very dangerous signal. It means that for some reason the heart is forced to pump blood more actively through the body. Lack of oxygen due to pneumonia is one of the factors that can provoke this.
On the subject: Guide to body temperature: which is considered to be the norm, and at what should be alarm
10. You feel tired and overwhelmed.
The reason may still be the same - organs and tissues lack oxygen. Therefore, the body seeks to limit your activity and sends signals to the brain that there are no forces.
11. Lips and nails have a bluish tint
This is another obvious sign of a lack of oxygen in the blood.
What to do if symptoms of pneumonia are found
If you notice more than half of these symptoms, consult your physician or pulmonologist as soon as possible. It’s not a fact that this is pneumonia, but the risk is great.
You can not postpone a visit to the doctor or his call at home to those who are at risk, namely:
- people over 60 or under 2 years old;
- people with chronic lung diseases, asthma, diabetes, problems with the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system;
- smokers;
- people who have a weakened immune system (this happens due to too strict diets, exhaustion, HIV, chemotherapy, as well as taking certain medications that depress the immune system).
The material is published for educational purposes and is not a medical recommendation. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for the consequences of self-medication and may not share the views of the author or expert.
