Are you also having a cough, fever and shortness of breath? Are you also worried if it may be post-obstructive pneumonia and how you will get rid of it? Well worry no more because we will provide you the answer to all your questions.
Post-obstructive pneumonia means the blockage in your airways which eventually causes infection and secretions. Here we will share all its symptoms and causes to help you in getting an effective diagnosis. Moreover we will also share the treatment options to get rid of this serious infection as well.
This detailed blogpost will teach you everything about this disease and how to get rid of it. You will be able to safely get yourself out from this problem without getting into severe complications. Let’s start with a quick intro of this disease.
What Is Post-Obstructive Pneumonia?
Post-obstructive pneumonia usually develops due to blockage in your lung airways. It could be a tumour or mucus plug blocking the airways and cause secretions. This obstruction stops proper airflow and may cause bacterial growth as well. It affects your regular lung infection.
Prompt medical attention is essential to prevent complications. Abscess in the lung, fistula formation, recurrent infection and antibiotic resistance are some of the complications which may arise due to this condition. That’s why you need to get a timely diagnosis and start intime treatment. Here are its common symptoms to help you recognize it in time and get a timely diagnosis.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms of post-obstructive pneumonia. Some of the most common symptoms include;
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
Potential Causes Of Post-Obstructive Pneumonia
Although lung cancer or tumour is considered the primary reason for post-obstructive pneumonia, it could be caused due to multiple other reasons as well. Let’s take a look at these potential reasons in detail.
- Foreign Body: Stucking of objects like food particles, toys or other small objects is also one of its potential causes. It is especially more common in children.
- Tumours: Lung cancer or tumours is a very common cause of this disease. It occurs due to benign or malignant growths in the airways which then affects the airflow and results in this condition.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is the 3rd cause on our list. It involves conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Bronchiectasis: Another potential cause of this condition is bronchiectasis. It is a condition which involves the spread and scarring of the airways. It can also cause mucus buildup and other chronic infections like it as well.
- Aspiration: Inhaled contents, such as gastric acid or food particles, can lead to aspiration pneumonia if they enter the lungs, causing inflammation and infection.
- Cystic Fibrosis: The next cause on our list is cystic fibrosis. It is a genetic condition which affects the production of mucus. It causes thick and sticky secretions which might also lead you to this condition.
- Chronic Respiratory Infections: The last potential cause we are going to list is chronic respiratory infections. These are caused by viruses or bacteria. These can cause chronic inflammation and affect your airways.
Diagnosis
Like any other disease the diagnosis of post-obstructive pneumonia also starts by physically examining the patient. Your doctor will recommend a course if Antibiotics if the symptoms are mild but in case these are severe your doctor might also need image testing.
He might ask you to get an X-ray or CT-Scan as well. If the doctor is not satisfied he might ask you to go through even advanced tests like bronchoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound. After completing the diagnosis and understanding your situation he will recommend you the treatments.
Post-Obstructive Pneumonia Treatments
After the diagnosis the next step is treatments. There are multiple types of treatment methods that are used for post obstructive pneumonia. These treatment options depend on several factors including the severity of the problem, your general health, etc. Your doctor will recommend the most suitable treatment option according to your need. Following are some of the treatment options that are being used for this purpose.
- Antibiotics
- Radiation
- Surgery
- Laser Bronchoscopy
- Stent placement
Final Words
That was all about post-obstructive pneumonia. It is a very serious infection and you should treat it very carefully in case you get affected by it. Get a timely diagnosis and strictly follow your doctor’s recommended treatments and advice.
Quit smoking or using any such harmful products if you get affected by it because these can worsen your situation. Take your medications in time and complete the course even if you are feeling better. Have more questions? You are welcome in the comment section.