Pneumonia
It Can Leave Seniors Breathless
It is estimated that anywhere from 350,00 to 620,000 hospitalizations per year of
people who are 65+ are due to pneumonia. They suffer from difficult and painful
breathing, fever, chest pain, the coughing up of sputum and a variety of other symptoms.
The pneumonias are caused by a variety of agents: viruses, bacteria and
mycoplasmas. These culprits infect or inflame the lungs, causing the small air passages
(called alveoli) to fill with mucus instead of air. There are 2 categories for the origin for
these infectious agents: community-acquired and hospital-acquired.
Fortunately, most types of pneumonia respond very
well to treatment. However, seniors should never take this respiratory problem lightly.
The elderly are faced with lower survival rates, especially for those who are fighting other
medical issues at the same time.
The lungs are the largest organs in the human body. These 2
sponge-like masses are made up of 10 % solid tissue and 90% air.
Classes Of Pneumonia
Who Is At Risk
- Bacterial Pneumonia - It is responsible for 1/3 to 1/2 of pneumonia
hospitalizations and it is treated with antibiotics. A serious type that affects the elderly (and
kills 40,000 people per year) is called pneumococcal pneumonia. There is a vaccine for
this that has not been shown to prevent the disease, but increases the chances of survival.
- Viral Pneumonia - Common in the very young and people who have
compromised immune systems. Most cases are not severe. There is no effective
treatment, it just runs its course. In the elderly, it can be a very serious complication of
influenza (the flu). A flu shot that prevents the flu, prevents this complication.
- Mycoplasma Pneumonia - Usually causes mild symptoms and is commonly
known as walking pneumonia. Makes up 20% of the cases and is most common in
school-aged children and young adults. Recovery can be hastened with antibiotics.
Some people are more at risk to catch pneumonia than others. They fit into the
following groups.
- The elderly, with women and the oldest of the old being most at risk. The elderly
also have lower survival rates, especially those who have other medical problems. (See
below.)
- The very young.
- Pregnant women.
- People with illnesses. These illnesses include:
-
Congestive Heart Failure.
-
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
-
Sickle Cell Anemia.
-
Diabetes.
-
Deficiencies in the immune system.
- Hospital patients with weakened immune systems.
(Sources: American Lung Assn., Center For Health
Studies)
