Inflammation in the lungs is difficult and difficult to treat. Left-sided pneumonia is especially difficult to tolerate. This is due to the anatomical structure of the internal organ, the close location of the heart. With a neglected state, a weakened body, the disease can be fatal. You need to know the signs of pathology in order to start treatment on time.
Main manifestations
Left-sided inflammation of the lungs is rare, because it is difficult for pathogenic microorganisms to get into this part of the organ due to the peculiarities of the structure of the bronchi. Usually, this disease occurs in people with a weakened body. The signs of pathology on the left are similar to those on the right.
Left-sided pneumonia begins acutely with a rise in temperature to 39 ° C and more, which lasts more than three days. A dry cough joins, sweating increases at night.
With the development of the disease, the symptoms intensify, it is noted:
- muscle and joint pain;
- dyspnea;
- increased weakness;
- severe pain in the chest on the left;
- rapid breathing;
- attacks of nausea and vomiting;
- perspiration, sore throat;
- coughing up phlegm.
In children, the symptoms are similar to the manifestations of the disease in adults, but the disease is more complex. From high temperature confusion appears, unhealthy blush on the cheeks. Lips and nail plates have a bluish tint, babies completely lose their appetite. As a result, the body weakens, children become passive, lethargic, sleep a lot.
In people over 60, left-sided pneumonia can provoke bouts of loss of consciousness and poor orientation in time and space. This occurs against a background of high temperatures that persist for a long time.
The reasons
Left-sided pneumonia can be transmitted from a sick person by airborne droplets. When sneezing, talking, pathological microorganisms are secreted from the respiratory tract and settle in the lungs of other people.
With a weakened immune defense, bacteria actively multiply in the lung tissue, which is believed to be the cause of pneumonia. The left lobe is affected less often, since its blood flow is weaker, it is more difficult for microorganisms to enter. Lower-lobe inflammation is more common, because the causative agents of the disease rise from the left side from below.
Pneumonia is often a complication after an untreated disease of acute respiratory or viral origin (tonsillitis, bronchitis, ARVI). After surgery, pneumonia develops in most cases, even if the operation was performed on another organ. This is the most common complication after medical manipulation.
Factors contributing to the development of pneumonia will be:
- diabetes mellitus or chronic lung disease;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- heart failure;
- prolonged cooling of the body, especially the legs;
- prolonged bed rest or a sedentary lifestyle;
- frequent colds.
Children and the elderly constitute the main risk group for left-sided pneumonia.
Diagnostics
Before starting treatment, a diagnosis is carried out. The examinations are prescribed by a pulmonologist. Listening to the lungs is of great importance, with pneumonia, specific wheezing is heard. The laboratory analyzes blood, sputum when coughing up, urine. The doctor receives most of the information after passing an X-ray, ultrasound of the lungs, echocardiography, and chest tomography.
During the examination, it is necessary to distinguish between pneumonia on the right side and left-sided focal pneumonia. Diagnostics helps to determine in which part the focus of infection is located. Upper lobe inflammation is considered dangerous – almost the entire lung is affected by the disease. A nearby heart may not be able to withstand prolonged heat and pathogens, so treatment should be started immediately.
Therapies
After the diagnosis, treatment is prescribed. The results of the bacterial culture, which identifies the pathogen, will be ready within 4 days. Only then will the final diagnosis be made. But treatment must be started immediately, before the results are obtained, so that pathological changes do not lead to serious violations. In this case, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.
After a few days, it becomes clear which pathogen caused the inflammation of the upper or lower part of the left lung. The patient is prescribed funds against a specific microorganism. If patients independently decide to cure pneumonia, there is no chance of recovery without identifying the pathogen.
In case of severe pneumonia, it is necessary to go to the hospital. Community-acquired forms of the disease of mild to moderate severity can be treated at home, as they proceed without complications.
Indications for hospitalization in a medical institution:
- the temperature rises above 39.9 ° C or falls below 35.5 ° C;
- shortness of breath worsens;
- blood pressure decreases;
- a person loses consciousness;
- hemoglobin dropped to 90 g / l.
For a child, additional indications for hospitalization are congenital malformations, chronic pathologies, and intrauterine underdevelopment.
The patient is treated with expectorant drugs, immunomodulators, antibiotics, remedies to relieve symptoms and to reduce intoxication of the body. At an advanced stage of pathology, artificial ventilation of the lungs, oxygen therapy are used , so it is better to go to a hospital for quality treatment.
Ignoring the symptoms and skipping treatment is unacceptable because a person with pneumonia is contagious. And he can also develop serious complications. The disease will slowly affect the surrounding tissues, pleuropneumonia, acute respiratory failure, gangrene of the left lung will begin.
Treatment with folk remedies for left-sided pneumonia is possible with the permission of a doctor. But they can only be a supplement during the recovery period. Getting rid of the disease at home is also difficult. The solution is simple – to go to the hospital, under the supervision of doctors to take medications.
Prophylaxis
Vaccination against left-sided pneumonia is a special preventive measure. It is carried out in the presence of a cold or pneumonia.
General prevention is the observance of the following rules:
- strengthen immunity;
- take walks every day in any weather;
- regularly undergo medical examinations;
- treat colds until recovery;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- eliminate bad habits.
With early detection of the disease, the prognosis is favorable. The treatment takes place without complications and negative consequences. A properly conducted treatment course helps to restore immunity, increase the body’s resistance to viruses. If a secondary infection has joined, the severity of the course of the disease increases, the prognosis worsens. You need to be especially careful about children whose body has not yet developed a good immune defense.