Facts About Pneumonia

Maybe you’ve heard of it, but do you really know it?  Pneumonia is a very common, yet highly treatable infection of the respiratory tract.

●     Pneumonia is one of the most common conditions which affects the respiratory tract, easily spreading through airborne particles.  You can be exposed to pneumonia at school, work or even at the hospital. In fact, there is a type of Pneumonia, known as hospital-acquired pneumonia which commonly affects patients in intensive care or the those which are using breathing machines.

●     Pneumonia is the world’s leading cause of death among children younger than five years of age.

●     It can be caused by bacteria, virus or fungi. Depending on the cause, there are several types that are well documented. The most common type is bacterial pneumonia, which is also considered the most dangerous.

●     Influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus are the most common causes for viral pneumonia.

●     Streptoccocus pneumoniae is the most common cause for bacterial pneumonia.

●     Many people suffer from pneumonia without being aware of its presence.

●     Pneumonia is commonly mistaken for a cold.  This is because of the similarity in the present symptoms.  The most prevalent symptoms for both pneumonia and the common cold are cough, fever and trouble breathing.  Each condition has characteristic symptoms that a trained professional will recognize and imploy treatment for.

●     Most commonly diagnosed by performing a chest x-ray.

●     Pneumonia is a highly treatable condition. The type of the treatment depends on the cause for the condition, as well as the severity of present symptoms.  Generally it is treated by antibiotics, especially for bacterial pneumonia.  Tertiary treatment includes natural remedies known to have positive effects on the disease.

●     Complications of pneumonia include sepsis, pleural effusion and empyema.

●     Risk factors and catalysts include smokers, people over 65 years of age, children under two and patients suffering from certain chronic medical conditions.

●     Two of five children who die from pneumonia are living in undeveloped and poor communities.

●     The antibiotics needed to treat pneumonia cost approximately one dollar per dose.  Even with the low cost of antibiotics, people are still at life-threatening risk when the disease goes untreated.

●     Only one in five children receive antibiotics in order to treat pneumonia.

●     Good health habits decrease the risk of pneumonia. You can ask your doctor for advice on how to protect yourself from pneumonia.

●     There are available vaccines developed that you can get during flu seasons in order to inoculate yourself from the disease.

●     Breastfeeding in the first six months is considered a way to protect children not only against pneumonia, but a wide range of other medical conditions.

●     Pneumonia can be fatal.  Up to 30% of people diagnosed with pneumonia are confined to an intensive care unit. 

All that separates us from the complications and fatal nature of this condition, is the conveyance of information.  By shedding light on signs, symptoms and treatment options, we hope to bring an informed opinion to a disease that has effected most people in their lifetimes, and will continue to be a burden for future generations.

 

Alternative Therapy Approaches for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness of complex origin. Scientists have not yet been able to find the exact cause behind this debilitating and often disabling disorder. Bipolar disorder is thought to only a occur due to a combination of causes that can relate to genetics, fluctuations in brain chemicals, or abnormal hormone levels. However, any stressful event such as death of a loved one, unemployment, or even mental or physical abuse can also trigger episodes for this condition. 

Reasons Why Medication is Not Enough

The lack of concrete causes and variable disease presentations make bipolar disorder difficult to treat. The treatment approaches can vary depending on the severity of the symptoms, the individual characteristics of the disorder, the response to medications, and your doctor's judgment. However, a collaborative effort between the patient, family members, and doctors is the best approach.

Bipolar disorder is best treated with trial and error approaches. This is because your doctor does not have a definitive form of treatment, as all patients with bipolar disorder respond to different treatments differently. Your doctor may ask you to stick with certain medications for a few months while he or she observes your response, and then from there he or she will decide possible treatment options for you. Your doctor may also decide to modify or switch treatment, depending on how you react.

Remember, these alternative approaches should never be used to replace medications. Bipolar patients are strictly advised to use any alternative approaches only after confirming with their doctors or psychiatrist.

What are your options?

Let’s discuss some non-drug approaches that you can go over with your doctor during your appointment:

●     Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, this approach utilizes the benefits of talking between you and your psychologist. For bipolar disorder, psychotherapy helps you discover ways to identify and avoid triggers, and modify your response to the identified triggers. It also attempts to prolong the “normal” phase of bipolar disorder and maintain harmonious relation between you and your family members. You can also discuss with your doctor about a form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy.

Click here to find the best psychologist and psychiatrist near you.

●     Supplements and Herbs: Supplements like omega-3-fatty acids and St. John’s wort have shown to be beneficial in some cases. If you are thinking of using any of them, consult with your doctor first. Be sure to discuss any possible interaction between the medications for bipolar disorder and the supplements.

(Do not take St. John’s wort with antidepressant medications as using them together can lead to a serious condition called Serotonin syndrome. Learn more here)

●     Lifestyle modifications: Lifestyle changes do not necessarily treat your symptoms but will surely help you lead a healthy life. Ask your doctor if a particular diet or exercise is beneficial to you.

●     Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): In electroconvulsive therapy, electric shocks are passed through your brain. This is by far the last resort for treating a variety of psychiatric disorders that do not respond to other treatments. It is also called Shock therapy. A clear discussion (with your doctor) about the risks, inclusion criteria and potential benefits can help you decide if you are a candidate for this. 

What Next?

Remember not to use any alternative therapy on your own. Be sure to discuss everything fully with your doctor, and let him or her help contribute to your decision.  

If you still have any queries or want to talk to the best doctors and psychiatrists near you, click here.