WNHO SEXOLOGY INSTITUTE OF PUNE, INDIA

PNEUMONIA

An acute inflammation of the lung lining (parenchyma) is known as pneumonia.

Causes:

-           Infection:- viral, bacterial or fungal, bacterial pneumonia are more common then viral.

-           Aspiration of food / drink into respiratory passage.

-           It is common complication of respiratory disorders.

-           Risk factors:

–          Hospitalization or stay in camps and military bases.

–          Alcoholism.

–          Extremes of age.

–          Tobacco smoking.

–          Cardiac disease.

–          Diabetes.

–          Malnutrition (poor nutrition).

–          HIV status.

–          Low immunity.

–          Environmental pollution.

Sign and symptoms:

•          Fever with chills.

•          Cough.

•          Breathlessness.

•          Bacterial pneumonia:

–          Sudden onset.

–          Chest pain with Breathlessness.

–          Dark thick or bloody sputum.

–          Loss of appetite.

–          Weakness.

–          Increased pulse.

–          Increased respiratory rate.

–          Restlessness.

•          Viral pneumonia

–          Cough with yellowish greenish sputum.

–          Headache.

•          Fungal pneumonia

–          Weakness

–          Fatigue

–          Cough-scanty white or no expectoration.

Dietary management:

•          Drink plenty of fluids and fresh juice of fruits and vegetables.

•          Consume hot vegetable soups – tomato, sweet corn etc.

•          Add a pinch of turmeric to your diet as it has anti-inflammatory properties.

•          Initially diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, when better can start with grains and little of protein in diet.

•          Milk and milk products and sweets should be avoided to decrease mucus production.

•          Onion and garlic should be consumed it is beneficial.

•          Boil a mixture of Bishops weed (Ajwain), tea leaves and water and inhale the steam, helps to decongest. Do this at least 2-3 times a day.

•          Gargle with warm water, a pinch of salt and turmeric to sooth your throat.

•          Consume lots of vitamin A, maintains the integrity of the respiratory mucosa: Liver oils of fish like cod, shark, and halibut are richest source of vitamin A.

–          Egg, milk and milk products, meat, fish, kidney and liver.

–          Yellow orange colored fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables.

•          Increase intake of vitamin C, it has antioxidant property: foods of animal origin are poor in vitamin C.

–          Citrus fruits, green vegetables.

•          Include zinc in your diet, it boosts up your immunity:

–          Meat, poultry and milk, sea food - shell fish, crab, shrimp, and sea plants etc.

–          Plant foods are low in zinc, Whole wheat grains provide good amount of zinc.

Note:

•          Take bed rest or reduce activity during infection.

•          Practice yoga will help by breathing exercises. Breathing exercise will help better utilization of available lung space.

•          Avoid sharing things such as towels, beverages with infected people.

•          Avoid contact with infected people.

•          Avoid crowded places.

•          Avoid smoking and alcohol.

•          Treat the cause.