Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious and inflammatory disease that affects lung tissue. The main causative agents of the disease are viruses and bacteria, less often fungi. About 17 million people worldwide are diagnosed with pneumonia yearly, occurring more frequently in men. Pneumonia is most severe in children under five years of age and in patients over the age of 70.

Despite the rapid development of modern medicine and the development of new and improved antimicrobial agents, every 65th person who falls ill dies of pneumonia. Lung inflammation is fourth in the number of lethal outcomes after cardiovascular pathologies, malignant neoplasms, traumas, and poisonings.

Given the severity of the course of pneumonia and the possible development of severe complications on various organs, it is essential to begin timely therapy. Rehabilitation is a crucial component in fully recovering the respiratory system and the body.

Causes of pneumonia

If we talk about the most common etiological factors in the development of the disease, the first place is occupied by bacterial infection. Most often, the causative agents of inflammation are pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, viral infections, and fungal microflora.

Inflammatory processes in the lungs can also occur due to exposure to toxins, allergic substances, ionizing radiation, and chest trauma.

The most frequent route of penetration of the pathogen into the human body is the bronchogenic route, and in rare cases, the infection enters through blood and lymph.

The risk group includes patients with:

• low immunity;
• heart failure;
• chronic bronchitis;
• chronic nasopharyngitis;
• congenital anomalies and defects in the functioning of the respiratory system;
• immunodeficiency.

In addition, risk factors include consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, and advanced age.

Treatment of pneumonia

Patients with acute pneumonia are indicated by hospitalization in the department. The patient should be under the supervision of a doctor since pneumonia is prone to the sudden development of complications.

With a high fever, bed rest, plenty of warm drinking, and a diet high in vitamins are prescribed. If the condition worsens and respiratory failure develops, oxygen therapy (oxygen therapy) is used.

When developing treatment programs, doctors are guided by X-ray data, taking into account the signs and symptoms and the patient’s general well-being.

The basis of therapy consists of conservative methods, including:

• Antibiotics (antibiotic therapy begins immediately before the pathogen is identified; as a rule, penicillins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, or cephalosporins are prescribed; in severe conditions, combined antibiotic therapy with several drugs is used; the route of administration and duration of treatment depends on the patient’s condition);
• symptomatic treatment (detoxification of the body is carried out, vitamins, analgesics and antipyretics, expectorants, and drugs to relieve edema are prescribed);
• physiotherapeutic procedures (prescribed after elimination of febrile phenomena; electrophoresis, inhalation, ultrahigh-frequency therapy, and others are used).

Rehabilitation of patients with pneumonia

Pneumonia is a severe and dangerous disease that affects lung tissue, impairing respiratory function. After suffering from pneumonia, a patient may have shortness of breath and problems swallowing food for a long time. In addition, pneumonia, which develops during the coronavirus infection, puts the patient in a stressful state, negatively affecting thinking and memory.

That is why an essential part of treatment for pneumonia is full and competent rehabilitation. To create the most effective rehabilitation program, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive examination, including laboratory and instrumental tests.

The duration and specific procedures are developed for each patient individually. In doing so, the specialist considers the patient’s condition and all the unique features of his or her body.

Doctors at Kliniken Schmieder use only highly effective and modern methods of rehabilitation.

The clinic has all the necessary equipment to provide quality care to patients with pneumonia.

Rehabilitation may include the following methods:

• Proper diet – a special menu rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals is developed. It includes carrots, pumpkin, natural vegetable and fruit juices, seafood, and dietary meat. All meals are cooked in boiled or steamed form.
• Physiotherapy is the central part of rehabilitation treatment. Our clinic uses classical and modern methods to improve pulmonary blood flow, eliminate residual effects, eliminate edema of soft tissues, and prevent adhesion process formation. The physiotherapy framework includes low-frequency and high-frequency magnetic therapy, laser therapy, ozokerite and mud application, ultrasound therapy, etc.
• Therapeutic exercise and breathing exercises – correctly chosen breathing exercises and therapeutic physical training help to stop shortness of breath, restore lung volume, improve overall health, and strengthen muscles. The program is developed individually, with a specialist taking into account the patient’s age, general condition, the presence of chronic comorbidities, etc.
• Therapeutic massage aims to improve the sputum’s expectoration, reduce chest discomfort, increase lung volume, restore blood and lymph flow, and eliminate inflammation. Massage techniques may include vibration, kneading, rubbing, stroking, etc.

Kliniken Schmieder specialists do everything possible to fully recover patients after pneumonia and their quickest return to everyday life.