Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection or a condition that can be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection in the alveoli of the lungs. It’s not contagious but it’s caused by the upper respiratory tract infection in the nose or the throat which may be contagious. Pneumonia can happen to anyone at any age which symptoms include fever, cough, trouble breath, yellow secretion, and chest pain.
On average, pneumonia can be treated at home but more severe cases may need hospitalization. However, there are several measures you can take to prevent getting infected.
7 Tips For The Prevention Of Pneumonia
1) Stay Away From The Sick People
Pneumonia can be contracted easily so if you are already experiencing other illnesses then avoid the people and the places where you might encounter more germs. Stay away from the grocery stores, public transportation, and crowded waiting rooms.
2) Wash Your Hands Frequently
Your hands may get in contact with so many materials and people each day so keeping them clean is a great way of preventing pneumonia.
- Carry hand sanitizer with you. Use the hand sanitizer frequently when you use the door to a public bathroom and use a grocery cart.
- Think about every thing you touch on a daily basis. What parts of your own body and hands are coming into contact with from your eyes to your mouth and keep them clean to be healthy.
3) Keep Your Immune System In Good Health Condition
Keeping a strong immune system is important for not only preventing pneumonia but it also helps in avoiding the other common illness and fatigue. People with weak immune systems, children younger than 2 years old, adults above 65 years old, and people with chronic diseases are at a higher than the normal risk of having pneumonia. Make sure to take extra measures to maintain a healthy immune system if you are at a higher chance of contracting pneumonia.
- Eating too much sugar, not maintaining a healthy weight, stress, lack of sleep is the major cause that affects your immune system and its ability to fight off infection
- Eat healthy foods with plenty of nutrients and vitamins such as green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits.
- If you know that you lack certain types of vitamins such as vitamin D which is garnered from exposure to sunlight then take the right supplements to balance what your body forms off on its own.
- A weak immune system can be a result of a lack of exercise and being obese. If you have a high BMI and your immune system may not function properly
4) Stop Smoking
One of the easiest and possible hardest ways to boost your immune system is to quit smoking which also acts as a preventive measure for pneumonia. As pneumonia is a lung infection, smoking makes your lung more susceptible to infection and makes it harder for you to prevent or battle the ailment.
5) Live A Healthy Lifestyle
Many doctors recommend you to live a healthy lifestyle since it can protect you from various types of infections.
- A healthy lifestyle has just a much to do with what you do as what you abstain from doing which means to avoid from work kinds of fats in food, too much alcohol, or by avoiding the stressful condition.
- Fats that are found in plant-based foods and oils are better for you than saturated fats which found in red meat and dairy products.
6) Keep Inflammation And Stress Down
If you are chronically stressed then it can create inflammation and make you more susceptible to illness. You can burn off the stress by taking care of yourself such as exercising, relaxing, and meditating. In this way, your immune system remains strong and healthy.
- Avoid sugar and processed foods as they contribute to your inflammation.
7) Get Enough Sleep
The average adult needs of sleep at night is between 7-8 hours. Take the following measures to ensure you are getting enough sleep:
- Sleep in your right position from where you will get the best rest when you sleep in this position by keeping your head and neck straight. avoid sleeping on your stomach as it causes your head to lie at an awkward angle.
- Reduce light and sound an hour before going to bed and give your body time to wind down by not using any electrical devices.
- Not getting proper sleep also make it harder to fight against infection and increases the risk to get the infection.
