Pneumonia: Why It Kills

Of all the countless diseases in the world, it is a surprise that Pneumonia is one of the top illnesses that most Filipinos suffer from. What’s also sad is the fact that several lives have been taken away because of this fatal condition. During the first quarter of 2011, Pneumonia ranked first at Philhealth’s number of paid health insurance claims and we could only hope that the rate does not hike up this year.

Why does this illness creep up to so many people? Why does it fatally attack? What is it about pneumonia?

According to www.philippinegraphic.com.ph, this disease is an inflammatory condition of one’s lungs, more especially on the microscopic air sacs or alveoli of the lung. Pneumonia also occurs when the lungs are filled with fluids which are called consolidation and exudation. This condition has various causes wherein, infection is the most common. Pneumonia is worsened through infecting agents that affect the lungs like bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. As for other people might not be aware of, pneumonia can also occur through chemical burns and physical injuries.

During the cold months in the Philippines, incidence of Pneumonia increases. Death cases due to the said illness have been reported specifically in provinces in the country like Baguio City, Benguet, and Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte. But why does this happen more often during the cold season? It is due to the fact that our lungs work harder for them to be able to transport the right amount of oxygen in the entire body to keep our organs functioning well. The high moisture in the atmosphere causes thin air, which greatly affects either the children or the elderly since these people usually cannot cope with the cold long enough.

If you’d notice, athletes, more specifically, boxers, hold their trainings in places with higher altitudes in order to improve their cardiovascular system. This causes the lungs to work double-time, providing the body with the right amount of oxygen.

www.philippinegraphic.com.ph provided a list of the symptoms for infectious pneumonia that can occur to anyone:

• Cough producing yellow or greenish phlegm
• High fever (with shaking chills)
• Shortness of breath
• Sharp stabbing chest pain when coughing or taking a deep breath

Less frequent symptoms of pneumonia:

• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing of blood
• Sweaty and clammy skin
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Blueness of the skin
• Joint pains or muscle aches
• Mood swings

Take note that one existing symptom is not enough to determine whether a person has Pneumonia or not. Only doctors have the best capability to know if one has acquired the said disease.