As you may be already aware, double pneumonia means an infection of both your lungs. This has been caused by inhaling microorganisms from an infected person and because your body's defenses (i.e. body resistance) is low. As the natural process of fighting off diseases is weak, the microorganisms spread into your lungs and air sacs. Fluid and pus fill up your air sacs and make it difficult to supply oxygen to your body and you become sick.
How long before you feel better is dependent on various factors such as:
- The stage of your disease,
- Your age
- Type of microorganism infecting you (whether bacteria, virus or mycoplasma),
- Presence or absence of other chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and so on.
- How soon you obtained medical attention after diagnosis of your medical condition and
- How regularly do you take your medications.
I'm not sure how old you are, but generally a younger person may lead a normal life within a week of recovery from pneumonia. For a middle-aged person, it may take weeks to regain their strength and well being. Adequate rest is important to maintain progress toward full recovery and to avoid relapse. Please remember that recovery takes time so do not rush your recovery process.
Once you get pneumonia, you need to be under a doctor's care. Self-treatment can be dangerous, especially for older people, and it's important to remember that pneumonia can be deadly. So the best defense against pneumonia is to try as best as possible to keep your immune system in top shape.
Basic tips you can follow to improve your condition:
- Have a doctor monitor your health and progress. In serious cases, you may require hospitalization. Recovery at home may be possible.
- Be regular with medications and take the entire course of any prescribed medications. We may stop medication too soon or skip them if we feel better, this can cause your pneumonia to come back and develop antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Make sure you keep all your follow-up appointments with concerned doctor.
- Plenty of sleep is necessary. Even if you feel better take complete rest till you completely recover.
- Diet should include foods which are easy to digest especially since most people have loss in appetite. Warm soups are recommended. Till the fever persists, the patient should keep himself protected against the cold. After the fever comes down, light exercise, starting with walking, is recommended.
- Practice good preventive measures by eating a balanced diet. Make sure there is protein in your meals such as beans, pulses, milk, cheese and well cooked non vegetarian foods like egg, fish, meat.
- Get regular exercise
- Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Liquids keep you hydrated and help to loosen mucus in your lungs.
Here are some Home remedies you can use. Please realize that these home remedies may help to relieve symptoms associated with double pneumonia and not cure the disease.
- Steamed eucalyptus oil can sooth cough and bronchial infections. It is an inhibitor of bacteria in the respiratory membranes.
- Use lots of garlic and onions in your food. These have antiviral and antibiotic properties which help your immune system to fight off both viral and bacterial pneumonia. Garlic and onions can be used with everything from potatoes to rice preparations (pulao) to meat or fish, and they're especially good in soups.
- Cook up immunity-boosting soups at home. Boil red pumpkin, carrots, spinach, garlic, onions, and any other colorful vegetables. Make it tasty and as often as you can. This ensures a good supply of vitamins and minerals which are necessary for a healthy immune system. Indian gooseberry is a rich source of vitamin C which also boosts immunity.
We also have some home remedies on our website using fenugreek, garlic, turpentine oil and so on which you might benefit from.
Please relax, adhere to the above guidelines and you should be on your way to recovery.
answered by P P