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Understanding Pneumonia
Understanding PneumoniaTranscript (page 1 of 2)Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that affects millions of people every year.Pneumonia can occur in one or both lungs. To help understand pneumonia, let’s takean inside look to see how our healthy lungs work.When you breathe in, oxygen-rich air travels down your windpipe, or trachea, andinto your lungs, which are divided into two bronchial tubes. These tubes are furtherdivided into smaller branches.At the end of those branches sit several million microscopic air sacs, called alveoli. Itis within the alveoli that oxygen entering your bloodstream is exchanged with carbondioxide – the air you breathe out.However, when you have pneumonia, some of your alveoli become infected. They fillwith fluid and mucus, and are not able to exchange the oxygen and carbon dioxideefficiently. Your lungs need to work harder; breathing becomes more difficult.Symptoms of pneumonia include: a fever, feeling tired or fatigued, muscle aches,coughing that brings up an increase in the amount of mucus, a change in mucus coloror thickness, shortness of breath and painful breathing. You may also experiencean increased heart rate, loss of appetite, confusion, and vomiting. The severity andnumber of symptoms you have depends on the location and size of the area of yourlungs that are infected.But how do your lungs become infected in the first place? There are two commontypes of pneumonia: community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Community-acquired pneumonia occurs when the virus is passed from person-toperson while going about the activities of daily living.Hospital-acquired pneumonia, on the other hand, occurs in a patient alreadyhospitalized for another condition. This sometimes develops about three days afterthe patient has been admitted into a healthcare facility. There are several reasonswhy20% gradient meshthis might happen.Patients in the hospital are at higher risk for developing pneumonia because theirhealthclipsbodies often have a harder time fighting off infection. Also, the treatments somehealthclipspatients receive for other conditions may put them at higher risk. Lack of activity whenyou’re lying in bed for long periods of time, lack of deep breathing, drug therapy, andhighly resistant germs can all contribute to hospital-acquired pneumonia.healthclipshealthclips(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10031_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshUnderstanding PneumoniaTranscript (page 2 of 2)People at high risk for pneumonia include those with lowered immune systems,whose bodies have difficulty fighting germs; smokers; people over 65 or babies under2; people with chronic lung disease, such as asthma or COPD; and those with heartdisease.Notify your healthcare provider right away if you suspect that you may havepneumonia. With prompt and proper treatment, you’ll feel better soon.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10031_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
Learn the most common methods used to treat pneumonia, and how each one is used to help you recover quickly.
Watch what can happen to the lungs when pneumonia is left untreated, and learn some of the tools your doctor may use to confirm your diagnosis.
Watch this video to learn what a ventilator is and how it is used to save patients' lives.
Read about how to keep your trach tube free of mucous buildup so that you can breathe without difficulty.
