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Pneumonia – Causes, symptoms, types, and management

Pneumonia – Causes, symptoms, types, and management

Pneumonia is a prevalent illness that infects the air sacs in one or both lungs, leading to inflammation. Depending on the severity of the infection, the air sacs may get filled with pus or fluid. This, in turn, can cause coughing with phlegm or pus and difficulty breathing in patients. Here, we look at the common causes, symptoms, types, and treatment options for pneumonia to help manage the ailment better.

Causes
The condition mainly results from viruses or bacteria:

Viral pneumonia
The disorder can be caused due to viruses like the rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and other viruses that cause the flu or influenza. Viruses are responsible for one third of cases.

Bacterial pneumonia
The condition can be caused by various bacteria, but the most common trigger is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacteria usually attack an immune system that is already weak, maybe due to a fever, cold, or another illness. While it can affect anyone, people with unhealthy habits are at higher risk of contracting this bacteria.

Mycoplasma pneumonia
Often called atypical pneumonia, this is a mild but wildly spread pneumonia caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. It can affect people of all age groups.

Symptoms
The signs include chest pain while breathing or coughing, fatigue, fever with sweats and shaking chills, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cough with phlegm, and shortness of breath. Symptoms like confusion or changes in mental awareness, along with lower-than-normal body temperature, are common in adults over 65.

Types
The common types of this condition are:

Hospital-acquired pneumonia
This type can be contracted through a long stay at a hospital. The risk is high if the person is on a breathing machine, cannot cough vigorously to clear out the lungs, has a tracheostomy tube that helps to breathe, or if the immune system is weak enough not to fight a new illness.

Community-acquired pneumonia
It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. If a person breathes food, fluid, or vomit into the lungs, they are also at risk of aspiration pneumonia. So, it is essential to cough the material out to prevent the bacteria from multiplying in the lungs.

Walking pneumonia
This is a mild type that does not have any severe symptoms. Patients might experience a fever, cough, and headache and confuse it with a regular common cold. A simple treatment plan will help.

Treatment options
Doctors may recommend the following options to treat the condition:

Cough treatments
While coughing helps loosen the fluid from the lungs, coughing constantly can get uncomfortable. So doctors suggest the lowest dosage of cough treatments that helps the person feel better while also coughing out the infected fluid.

Antibiotics
It can take some time to determine which bacteria is causing the problem. So, the doctor may first prescribe a basic treatment to help calm the symptoms. If that does not work, they may recommend antibiotics after a more careful diagnosis.

Pain treatments
These are usually suggested to help relieve the uncomfortable feeling throughout the term of the illness.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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Understanding blood donation – Eligibility criteria and benefits

Blood donation is an important part of healthcare, as it enables blood transfusion—a treatment option that can sustain and save lives. Data suggests that there are 11 million donors in the country, and over 11.5 million units of blood are collected in a year. Before the process begins, each donor is asked questions to assess the risk of bloodborne infections. Blood can be donated every 56 days and up to six times a year. Eligibility criteria One must meet the following criteria to be eligible to donate blood: One must be fit and healthy on the day of the blood donation. Depending on state law, one should be at least 16 or 17 years old. Some states enable legal minors to donate with parental approval. Although there is no legal maximum age, donor facilities may have different policies. You must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. You must be able to pass the health history and physical exams. Benefits Blood donation can benefit both the recipients and the donors. Some of the key benefits of blood donation are: Contributing to society: The only way to supplement blood loss is through donated human blood. Donating blood is seen as a noble cause, as it can help in the treatment of cancer, bleeding disorders, sickle cell anemia, and genetic blood abnormalities. According to the American Red Cross, donating one unit of blood might save the lives of up to three people. Health exam: Before donating blood, each donor goes through a quick health check and blood test. Although these tests are not extensive, they may be able to detect health conditions such as anemia or high or low blood pressure. The examination covers the donors’ iron levels, blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate. One will not be able to donate blood if the test results indicate a problem in any of those parameters. However, the outcomes might serve as a starting point for treatment. Prevents certain health issues: Blood donation can help reduce the risk of heart and liver damage caused by iron overload. An excessively iron-rich nutritional regimen can lead to conditions such as iron buildup in the heart and liver. Donating blood helps keep iron levels in check and reduces the risk of associated diseases. Stimulates blood cell production: Following blood donation, the body works to make up for the blood loss. This stimulates the production of fresh blood cells, which helps maintain good health.  One should consult a doctor before donating blood to check for health issues or concerns. One should also follow a balanced meal plan for a few weeks before donating. Blood donations must be carried out at a blood bank, a hospital, or another setting with the presence of health professionals. On the day of the donation, one should have enough fluids to ensure hydration. Following such safety measures will help donors have a smooth and healthy experience.

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