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Lobe pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterium called streptococcal pneumonia. It develops suddenly, quite rapidly, usually in people with very low immunity. It is much rarer than bronchopneumonia.
Definition of lobar pneumonia
Lobe pneumonia is a disease caused by the streptococcus bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. The disease affects one whole (or sometimes more) lobe of the lung at the same time – hence its name – and usually the pleura covering the given lobe at once; that is why the patients experience quite strong, very troublesome pain in the chest, increasing at the top of the inhalation. The disease mainly affects people with low immunity and is much less common than bronchial pneumonia.
The course of lobar pneumonia
Lobe pneumonia is usually divided into four phases:
1. hyperemia that occurs within the first XNUMX hours,
2.red lung hepatitis (staining of the lung exudate with blood),
3.Gray hepatitis of the lungs (occurs when blood cells break down and fibrin exudate occurs),
4th phase of complete recovery.
Hepatization is the process of converting lung tissue into a liver-like form. Thanks to this process, air does not enter the lungs.
Lobe pneumonia risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of lobar pneumonia include:
- people over 65,
- babies,
- patients with diabetes,
- people treated with glucocorticoids or cytostatics,
- immune disorders,
- heavy smoking,
- alcohol abuse,
- HIV-infected people,
- radiation therapy,
- damage to mucous membranes in the course of bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis or due to inhalation medications, mechanical ventilation and intubation,
- kidney disease
- circulation problems,
- respiratory system diseases,
- neurological disorders.
Symptoms of lobar pneumonia
The onset of lobar pneumonia is usually sudden. The most common symptoms suggesting lobar pneumonia include:
• sudden, unexpected chills
• shortness of breath,
• pain in the chest,
• faster and shallow breathing,
• sometimes cyanosis,
• high fever that lasts up to several days,
• herpes usually appearing on the lips,
• cough – heavy, deep, troublesome, associated with gradually coughing up more and more rusty-colored sputum.
The above-mentioned symptoms are the reason for immediate hospitalization of the patient.
Diagnosis of lobar pneumonia
Lobe pneumonia is determined on the basis of the results of: a medical examination and a chest X-ray. Blood tests show an increase in ESR, CRP and leukocytosis. Occasionally, anemia or blood oxygenation disorders appear (partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) lower than 60 mmHg). The X-ray image shows patchy and merging shadows, and uniform shading of the flap. In lobar pneumonia, especially if it occurs in the elderly, one should take into account the possibility of the addition of circulatory failure and inflammatory exudate in the pleural cavity. Hence, the prognosis in these cases is serious.
Treatment of lobar pneumonia
Treatment of lobular pneumonia should be carried out in a hospital. Doctors usually recommend antibiotic therapy, which has a wide impact. At a later stage of the disease, targeted antibiotic therapy is recommended based on the result of the antibiotic. In addition, patients are given preparations to alleviate other symptoms: pain, cough, inflammation. It is also important that there is adequate air humidity and oxygen therapy in the room where the patient is.
How to prevent lobar pneumonia?
First of all, you should take care of the body’s immunity by taking a large amount of vitamins and, for example, a natural antibiotic in the form of garlic. In addition, remember to maintain personal hygiene, such as frequent hand washing. It is worth thinking about preventive vaccinations and a balanced diet, which should be complemented by physical activity. Most important: avoid active and passive smoking.