Pneumonia

Overview

Pneumonia is a serious respiratory disease that occurs when foreign microorganisms enter the lungs, causing them to become seriously inflamed. As this inflammation occurs, the part of the lung and/or bronochial pipes (bronchi) which are affected lose their natural sponginess, harden, and become far less functional. In the US, pneumonia ranks as the number one most contagious disease, killing as many as 70,000 individuals each year, and affecting another two million. Particularly at risk are children under the age of one, individuals 60 years and older, people who smoke, alcoholics, and people with diabetic issues.

Pneumonia most often strikes during wintertime, but can occur at any time of the year. In addition, it can be contracted at doctor’s appointments, and as a result of other health conditions, including colds, viruses and respiratory disease. Pneumonia also contributes to immunosuppressive diseases, for example cancer.

Caution: If you suspect you’ve pneumonia, seek immediate medical assistance. Left untreated, pneumonia can be deadly.

Types of Pneumonia

There are two types of pneumonia—bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia. Bronchopneumonia impacts only the bronchi of the upper respiratory tract, whereas lobar pneumonia can affect the entire lung.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

The most common symptoms of each types of pneumonia are sensations of breathlessness, rapid, short breathing, heart problems, sore throat, headache, cough along with mucus and/or even blood, fever, sweating, and chills or shivering.

Causes of Pneumonia

Approximately half of all pneumonia cases are due to viral infection. Bacterial infection is another major cause, however, with most typical bacterial causes being Pneumococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, E. coli, proteus, Pseudomonas, and Hemophilus. Fungal infections may also play a role in the development as well as progression of pneumonia, as can other chronic respiratory illnesses and illnesses that compromise the immune system. Hospitalization and hospital visits can also increase the chance of pneumonia, just like smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and using immunosuppressive drugs.

Natural Remedies

Note: Pneumonia is a severe illness and should be treated with the help of a holistic health professional. In addition, when treating pneumonia, treatment must start as soon as the infection starts in order for total recovery to occur. Even after signs and symptoms abate, they are able to flare up again if not correctly treated and monitored, therefore be sure to obtain adequate levels of rest after your treatment protocols for at least one to two weeks after your signs and symptoms disappear.

Aromatherapy: Inhaling the steamed vapors of the essential oils of camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine, or even tea tree can help improve breathing and immune function. Rubbing the upper chest with niaouli oil may also be helpful, although this should be avoided when a fever is present. Add powdered ginger root to fresh squeezed lime juice along with a pinch of organic honey, or apply a heated mustard oil shrink to the forehead during breakouts of fever.

Diet: If you suffer from pneumonia, you must be screened for food allergies and sensitivities, after which avoid eating those foods that you’re allergic or sensitive to. In addition, avoid just about all sugar as well as sugar products, including citrus fruits, wheat and wheat byproducts, and soft drinks. In addition, avoid all commercially processed foods and those containing artificial ingredients, such as additives, colorings, flavorings, and preservatives. Eliminate your intake of just about all milk and dairy products, because they contribute significantly to mucous in the body. Additionally, avoid coffee and all other caffeinated items.

Drink plenty of pure, strained water — at least 8oz. every two hours; for best results, add fresh squeezed lemon juice and a splash of cayenne pepper. (Be sure to brush your teeth or rinse well following citrus foods.) Also consume fresh squeezed, organic veggie juices during the day, as well as warm broths, especially miso and other soups. Vegetable juices are an important add-on to the diet, and the very best option for providing extra nutritional support, especially while sick. They’re best made using mainly green vegetables. Use just enough carrot to make your juices sweet enough to be palatable. Include ginger or even garlic for a nice warming effect. Watered down organic pear juice may also be helpful, to help loosen mucus in the lungs.

At mealtime, stress organic, whole foods, especially lots of fresh, uncooked organic vegetables, lightly steamed vegetables and sauces, miso soups, soaked nuts and seeds, organic free-range meat, poultry, and wild-caught fish. Eat small quantities of fruit or limit your selection to plums, pears, or berries, such as Goji fruits, and other less sweet exotic fruits you may find in the region where you live. Avocados, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers can be eaten freely. Garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, chili peppers, and onions should be eaten regularly, due to the powerful benefits they provide for the lung area and overall respiratory system. Organic, extra virgin olive oil and raw virgin coconut butter or oil can and should be used liberally.

According to leading naturopathic physician and researcher Frederick E. Pizzorno, N.D., President Emeritus of Bastyr University, the vegan diet can significantly improve the signs of most respiratory system conditions, including pneumonia. This type of diet involves eliminating just about all animal items, as well as seafood, eggs, milk, and all other dairy products. Whole grains should be avoided as well, or even eaten in minimal amounts. Dr. Pizzorno also advises limiting your fluid consumption to pure filtered drinking water (avoid chlorinated or fluoridated tap water), and consuming plenty of clean, organic vegetables and fruit, especially romaine lettuce, carrots, beets, onions, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, radishes, Jerusalem artichokes, beans (other than soy and green peas), blueberries, bananas, raspberries, black currants, apples, and pears. Apples and citrus fruits (except lemon) are not recommended, however.

Fasting: Fasting for 14-48 hours under a doctor’s supervision can help to quickly resolve any threat of pneumonia if undertaken at the first sign of symptoms. Fasting must be avoided however, if the individual is too fragile or frail. Seek the advice of your health care practitioner before you begin a fast.

Herbs:

Boneset tea – To clear blockage and ease accompanying aches and pains.

Coltsfoot – For fighting infection as well as soothe coughs.

Raw Garlic Clove and Onions – To fight infection and expel mucus and phlegm.

Fenugreek – To relieve a fever.

Ginseng – To boost general immune performance.

Hydrastis – To fight an infection.

Lobelia and Sanguinaria – To free to lungs of congestion, mucus, and phlegm

Other useful herbs, specifically for pneumonia caused by viral infection, include Arctostaphylos, Cephaelis ipecacuanha, juniper (Juniperus communis), Piper cubeba St. John’s Wort, and uva ursi.

Homeopathy:

Aconite – For pneumonia accompanied by sudden onsets of anxiety and fever.

Bryonia – For sharp upper body pains that worsen with movement.

Phosphorus – For pneumonia accompanied by rust colored phlegm, weakness, trembling, and a desire for cold drinks.

Sanguinaria – For pneumonia that occurs following the flu when congestion is primarily in the right lung.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of using water, ice, and steam as well as alternating between hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, bathhouses, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for dealing with a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in your home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and day spas make use of Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment. We suggest a number of at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Seek the recommendation of your alternative health care specialist before undergoing these procedures to make sure they are appropriate for you.

Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia involves artificially creating a fever in the body for the purpose of enhancing immune function. Hyperthermia can be an impressive method for eliminating toxins, heavy metals, and infectious bacteria and viruses that cannot survive in raised body temperatures. We recommend several at-home hyperthermia treatments. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner before undergoing these types of sweat-inducing methods to make sure they are appropriate for you.

*Pure water is essential for any hydrotherapy or hyperthermia treatment. Treatments for purifying water include clear instructions and recommendations.

Improving Indoor Air Quality: Improving the quality of your indoor atmosphere, both at home and at work, is an essential self-care approach for helping treat and prevent respiratory conditions, including pneumonia. Healthy air feels comfortable, is free of contaminants and odors, has a relative humidity of between 35 -60%, and is high in oxygen and negative ions. Today’s technology makes it easy to ensure that your interior air meets the above requirements. A negative ion generator can not only boost the oxygen and negative ion content of indoor air, but can additionally cleanse it of dangerous animal pet pollen, bacteria, dust, mold, pollen, and viruses. Moreover, negative ions help to soothe and repair damaged mucosa from the nasals, lung area, and bronchial pathways. For best results, choose a self-regulating negative ion electrical generator that emits at least one trillion negative ions per second.

You should also use a humidifier to keep your indoor air moist, especially during winter months, when air is commonly drier. Select a warm steam unit. Adding plants to your home and work environments might help keep the atmosphere moist. Certain plants, such as chrysanthemums, philodendron, and spider plants, also help to keep your air free from circulating dirt and microorganisms, since they act as natural air filters.

Be sure that your home and work environments are properly ventilated, and avoid using synthetic materials in your home and place of work, including plastic materials.

Infraspinatus Respiratory Response Therapy: Created by Harry Philibert, M.D. of Metairie, Louisiana, this treatment addresses the Infraspinatus Respiratory Response (I.R.R.), also known as the Infrascapula Respiratory Reflex. I.R.R. is a neuromuscular response directly linked to the sympathetic central nervous system. It is involved in the bronchial mucus that accompanies pneumonia, bronchial asthma and bronchitis. According to Dr. Philibert, who has successfully treated thousands of patients suffering from respiratory disorders, adjustment of the I.R.R. can reverse, and in many cases completely get rid of pneumonia signs and symptoms.

I.R.R. Therapy involves the injection of lidocaine into the infraspinatus muscle. Positive results are typical after 1-5 sessions, although more might be necessary. Dr. Philibert has trained over 3,000 physicians in the I.R.R. technique.

Juice Treatment: Consume a mixture of natural carrot, green spinach, and parsley juice, with a clove of garlic. Add a pinch of cumin and drink two 8oz. glasses during the day. For more suggestions, see Juice Recipes.

Nutritional Supplements: Helpful nutrients for treating pneumonia include vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pine sapling bark, and zinc, which can help improve immune performance and protect against infection. Proteolytic enzymes used between meals, with acidophilus bacteria supplements, can also be helpful, as can thymus gland extract. Other useful dietary supplements include betaine HCL, bee pollen, quercetin, manganese, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and selenium.

If you need to take an antibiotic, which is frequently the case with pneumonia, be sure to supplement during and after the course with a steady dose of probiotics, such as acidophilus. Probiotics should be used for at least 30 days following taking antibiotics because they will help substitute intestinal tract flora that are weakened when taking antibiotics.

Alternative Professional Care

These therapies may also help prevent and treat pneumonia: Acupuncture, Intravenous Vitamin Drips, UV Light treatments, Bodywork (Reflexology, Rolfing, and Shiatsu), Energy Medicine (Light Column generator), Magnet Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Treatments, Qigong, Tai Chi, Chinese medicine, and Yoga. (See Glossary for explanations of these Optional Therapies.)