Pneumonia

The information posted in this entry is to supplement treatment your doctor has prescribed. If you suspect you may have pneumonia, call your doctor. He or she may prescribe antibiotics that can aid in your healing.

While at home, the following can help relieve your symptoms and help you feel better more quickly:

• Stay hydrated--drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest, but make sure to get up out of bed and sit in your favorite chair as often as possible.
• If possible, do not suppress the cough. Coughing is your body's way of getting rid of the infection. Reasons to suppress the cough would be because you are not able to breathe, not able to rest, or coughing is causing vomiting. Ask your doctor what is appropriate for you.
• Use aromatic oils containing oregano, thyme, or rosewood. In studies, these have killed the S. pneumoniae virus. It is not know if the oils are effective in humans, but aroma therapy couldn't hurt and may help you relax.
• Use garlic. It can help lower one's fever, if present. One could even apply garlic paste to the patient's chest (and ward vampires off at the same time).
• For pain relief, rub turpentine oil around the patient's ribs and wrap them with warm cotton wool.
  
• Consume sesame seeds. Put 15 grams of seeds in 1 cup (250 ml) of water water. Add 1 tbsp of linseed, a pinch of table salt, and a teaspoon of honey in the mixture. and mix well. Swallow down this mixture everyday. It will aid in removing phlegm from the bronchial tubes.
• Drink your veggies. Mix 3/4-cup of spinach juice with 1.5 cups of carrot juice daily.
  
• Practice breathing exercises; a.k.a. "chest therapy":
  
  • Use a incentive spirometer. Your doctor can give you one of these or you may be able to find one at your pharmacy. Using this regularly can help improve breathing and loosen sputum.
  • Practice rhythmic breathing and coughing every four hours:
    
    • Before starting the breathing exercise, the tap lightly on your chest to loosen mucus within the lung. If possible, have someone tap on your back.
      
    • Inhales rhythmically and deeply three or four times.
    • Coughs as deeply as possible with the goal of producing sputum.

Below, find some of the items mentioned above (like the incentive spirometer). Click on the arrow at the bottom of the carousel to move through the products: