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Common Treatments for Pneumonia
Common Treatments for PneumoniaTranscript (page 1 of 2)”Hello.””Hi, how are you?”Depending on its severity, your doctor may prescribe several forms of treatment foryour pneumonia. The first will most likely be a prescription for antibiotics. Antibioticshelp your body fight the infection. Other medications may be given to relieve thesymptoms of pneumonia, such as chest pain, body aches, and a painful, dry cough.Another common treatment method for pneumonia is oxygen therapy. Havingpneumonia can decrease the amount of oxygen normally contained in your body.Oxygen therapy, delivered to your lungs through a mask or nasal tubes, provides theadditional oxygen that your body requires.While taking medications and perhaps oxygen, there are other things you can do tohelp your recovery. Rest well and eat properly; your body needs energy to fight yourinfection.The goal in treating your pneumonia is to get rid of the infected mucus that clogs yourairways. This is accomplished through exercising your lungs, thinning and looseningthe mucus that is clogging your lungs, and getting rid of the mucus through variousbreathing techniques.You can begin by balancing periods of rest with periods of activity. For example,begin taking short walks as soon as you are feeling up to it. Walking forces you to takedeeper breaths which helps to clear your lungs.Drinking lots of clear fluids, like water, helps thin out the excess mucus in your lungs.And coughing helps to bring the mucus up so you can get rid of it.You may be taught how to do breathing exercises called bronchial hygiene therapy.20% gradient meshThese help you do all three – expand your lungs, loosen the mucus, and help you ridyour lungs of the mucus that is clogging them.healthclipsBronchial hygiene includes several skills. Let’s start by looking at incentive spirometry.healthclipsIncentive spirometry is a lung exercise used to help you expand your lungs by takingdeeper breaths.healthclips”What I need you to do is take the mouthpiece and put it in your mouth.”healthclips(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10033_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshCommon Treatments for PneumoniaTranscript (page 2 of 2)Your healthcare provider will show you how to use the spirometer …“… to achieve about 1600 here, that’s what our yellow mark is for.”… set goals for you, and monitor your progress.A different tool called a flutter valve may be prescribed. This device creates vibrationsin your airways, which loosens the mucus in your lungs.Once your mucus is loose, you’ll be shown how to safely and forcefully cough, whichwill help bring that mucus out of your lungs and out through your mouth. You maybe instructed to use your deep breathing and forceful coughing techniques together.Continue to perform these exercises throughout your recovery in the hospital and athome, as directed.Also while in the hospital, your care team may use other forms of therapy, calledpostural drainage or percussion therapy.Regardless of the treatment methods prescribed, it is important to follow yourhealthcare providers’ instructions. And remember to take all of your medications asprescribed, and to complete the full prescription – even if you are feeling better.All of these treatments are commonly used to help clear your lungs of pneumonia.And when practiced properly, they can help you recover more quickly.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10033_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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Understand what pneumonia is, how it affects the lungs, its symptoms, and how the lungs can become infected in the first place.
Watch what can happen to the lungs when pneumonia is left untreated, and learn some of the tools your doctor may use to confirm your diagnosis.
Watch this video to learn what a ventilator is and how it is used to save patients' lives.
Watch this video to learn what Continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP is, how the treatment for sleep apnea works, and side effects.
