Pneumonia – In The Summertime?

Written by Wellness Club on June 29, 2011 – 3:57 pm -

Pneumonia is not just an illness of the “Bad Weather” seasons – It can strike at any time of the year!

 

Pneumonia – Deadly But Preventable – Here’s How:

 

By Dr. Myatt

 

Pneumonia is a lung inflammation usually accompanied by infection. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi or by accidentally inhaling a liquid or chemical. (The most common cause is a virus). People over age 65 or younger than 2 years of age, or those who have other health problems, are most at risk.

Symptoms of pneumonia include difficulty breathing and a cough and fever. Antibiotics are only effective for bacterial pneumonia, but viral pneumonia is the most common type of infection.

Studies show that using acid suppressing drugs (acid blockers) — even the “over-the-counter” kind — increase the risk of pneumonia four-fold.

Instead of decreasing stomach acid, I recommend taking digestive enzymes such as Similase and performing an inexpensive gastric acid self-test.

[Nurse Mark note: correcting weak digestive juices will be far more effective in relieving “heartburn” than shutting down your stomach’s acid production – please see the HealthBeat article “What’s Burning You?”]

Low levels of zinc are associated with increased risk of infection, and adequate zinc status is associated with both lower risk of infection, less serious infections and shorter duration of infection. For those taking daily Maxi Multis, “we’ve got you covered.”

Simple mouth bacteria is also associated with increased risk, especially in the elderly. Rinsing the mouth with hydrogen peroxide twice a day after brushing can greatly decrease harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Finally, remember that bromelain has been shown to be highly effective — in some cases more effective than antibiotics — in treating respiratory infections including pneumonia.

A protein-digesting enzyme from pineapple stems, bromelain dissolves the mucous coating that many bacteria use to “shield” themselves from the body’s immune system. It also thins mucous, making it easier to cough up the crud (or drain sinuses).

A potent combination of inhaled essential oil vapors, as found in a novel product called Inspirol, is extremely helpful is preventing and treating pneumonia.

To prevent pneumonia and respiratory infections:

1. Maxi Multi: daily multiple vitamin mineral formula.
2. Immune Support: taken daily during cold and flu-season months, or year-’round in elderly or immune compromised people.
3. Brush teeth and rinse mouth with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, twice daily.

If you get a cold (to prevent pneumonia) take:

1. Bromelain: 1 cap, 3-4 times per day between meals.
2. Inspirol: inhale 4 times per day (or more).

If you have a lower respiratory infection (bronchitis, “chest cold” or pneumonia):

• Mom’s mustard plaster! 3-4 in series, until chest congestion breaks up and patient is breathing easy.

Follow the recipe found here.

NOTE: Always see a doctor for diagnosis with shortness of breath or sever chest congestion; bacterial pneumonia is a life-threatening disease, especially in seniors. But also remember that antibiotics alone are often ineffective even in bacterial pneumonia, and completely worthless in viral or other types of pneumonia. Follow the above recommendations no matter what, and you won’t “expire” from a case of pneumonia!

References

• Acid suppression associated with increased pneumonia risk.
  The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 4, Issue 12, Pages 715-715.
• Zinc Supplementation Decreases Incidence of Infections in the Elderly: Effect of Zinc on Generation of Cytokines and Oxidative Stress. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 3, March 2007.
• Serum Zinc and Pneumonia in Nursing Home Elderly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 4, October 2007, ajcn.org
• Pneumonia in nonambulatory patients: The role of oral bacteria and oral hygiene. J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 137, No suppl_2, 21S-25S, 2006.
• The use of proteolytic enzymes in the therapy of acute and chronic bronchopathies. Minerva Med. 1969 Aug 25;60(67):3060-71.
• A double-blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache. 1967 Apr;7(1):13-7.

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