As your family members age, the risk of getting pneumonia increases. However, getting pneumonia does not need to happen to your loved ones. Learn the symptoms and causes of pneumonia to better prevent your family members from getting pneumonia and be able to enjoy long-lasting health in their senior years.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
Look out for these symptoms in your loved ones that suggest a pneumonia infection. Your family members may appear to be more fatigued than usual or be excessively coughing, often with greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus. Your family members may complain of having pain in their chest area and might even appear to have chills. Your loved one may also be less willing to eat their meals for no particular reason. However, other symptoms of pneumonia are more serious. You might notice your loved one having a high fever and even excessive sweating, along with shortness of breath. You might also notice that they have an increased heart rate, along with a bluish tinge to their lips and nails. This is worrying as it indicates that they are currently having a lack of oxygen in their body. Along with the rest of the symptoms, you might also notice your loved one being more confused than usual.
Consequences of Pneumonia
Pneumonia drastically reduces your loved one’s ability to breathe and worsens your loved one’s immune symptoms. With a weaker immune system, if your loved one encounters pneumonia, they are more likely to be hospitalized and even, die.
How to Prevent Pneumonia
However, pneumonia does not need to be a death sentence to your loved one. Ensure that your loved one has been vaccinated. If they are unwilling, you can gently remind them that vaccines can help prevent some bacterial and viral infections. This would help reduce the risk of pneumonia for your loved ones too.
Furthermore, ensure your loved ones’ hygiene is well maintained. This is because when your loved ones follow good hygiene practices, like washing their hands regularly before they eat and after they use the bathroom, the risk of them getting pneumonia drastically decreases as the number of germs that can spread reduces dramatically. Additionally, ensure your family members brush and floss their teeth daily. This is because if your loved one’s teeth are not taken care of and become infected, bacterial, and viral infections can occur, resulting in pneumonia.
In your loved one’s daily schedule, ensure to carve out time for them to eat healthily and have ample exercise. Of course, ensure that they have enough rest to recuperate their bodies. If your loved one is a smoker, gently persuade them to stop smoking for their health because research shows that smoking hurts one’s lungs. Lastly, ensure that your loved one understands their medical condition, especially if they have chronic medical conditions like diabetes that cause them to have a weaker immune system. This is because they are more likely to get pneumonia. Thus, ensure that your loved ones take their prescribed medications to enjoy long-lasting health.
If you go through these steps, your loved ones are more likely to reduce their risk of getting pneumonia and be able to enjoy long-lasting health in their senior years.
