We are writing about this topic as during our Dad’s time in the hospital he had a major incident where he choked. I was witness to this incident, it was very scary and very traumatic. Thankfully our Dad made it through this, however, we were informed that as a result of the choking incident…….
Please see Lung Infection which includes:
- Our story
- Examples of Lung Infection (Illustrative)
- Lung Infection
- YouTube Videos – Lung infection
- Questions on Lungs
- Lungs and Aspiration
- Treatment of Lungs
- YouTube Video – Foods that cleanse the Lung Naturally
- Lung Infection and Food
- Natural Cures – Lung Infection
- Health and Wellbeing – Lungs
- Links on Lung Infection
- Our Final Thoughts
© Copyright 2019 Grief Probate Journey Blog *PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION IS SOURCED FROM UK and AMERICAN WEBSITES* It is also based on our own experience. *We are not experts in this field, we are speaking purely on our own experience with information sought from the internet to give further examples.*
1. Our Story
We are writing about this topic as during our Dad’s time in the hospital he had a major incident where he choked. I was witness to this incident, it was very scary and very traumatic. Thankfully our Dad made it through this, however, we were informed that as a result of the choking incident he would develop a chest infection, and so treatment for this started immediately as a precaution. What we were not aware of at that time is that our Dad also developed two types of pneumonia as a result of this choking incident. (This is why we have a topic named: Pneumonia (Including Choking).
The information for this topic has been sourced by searching google and also some insight from our own experience. Please see Lung Infection.
2. Examples of Lung Infection (Illustrative)
3. Lung Infection:
3.1 What causes infection in lungs?
“Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The infection causes the lungs‘ air sacs (alveoli) to become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus. That can make it hard for the oxygen you breathe in to get into your bloodstream”. (31 Dec 2018).
3.2 How do you know if there’s something wrong with your lungs?
“Wheezing: Noisy breathing or wheezing is a sign that something unusual is blocking your lungs‘ airways or making them too narrow. Chronic chest pain: Unexplained chest pain that lasts for a month or more especially if it gets worse when you breathe in or cough also is a warning sign”. (15 Mar 2018).
During our Dad’s time in the hospital, from time to time his breathing would cause us concern. We would always make sure we would raise these concerns with the hospital staff. We would also raise any concerns we had if there was meetings with staff on the ward. We were as vocal as we could be if we were unhappy with things that we were seeing.
3.3 Where do you feel lung pain?
“Also known as pleurisy, this condition is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the lungs and chest. You likely feel a sharp pain when you breathe, cough, or sneeze. The most common causes of pleuritic chest pain are bacterial or viral infections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax”. (2 Mar 2019).
3.4 How do I know if I have a lung infection?
“Chest pain associated with infection of the lungs is often described as a sharp, aching pain on one side that gets worse when breathing deeply. This is called pleuritic chest pain. It may also feel like pressure or tightness inside the chest wall”.
3.5 How do you know if you have a lung infection?
“Other tests for lung infections, such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis, may include”:
- “Blood tests or cultures”.
- “Oximetry”.
- “Arterial blood gases”.
- “Bronchoscopy”.
- “Transtracheal mucus cultures (rarely done)”.
- “Lung biopsy”.
- “Thoracentesis”.
- “Computed tomography (CT) scan”.
3.6 Do Xrays show lung infections?
“Chest X–rays can detect cancer, infection or air collecting in the space around a lung (pneumothorax). They can also show chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema or cystic fibrosis, as well as complications related to these conditions”. (26 Apr 2018).
4. YouTube Videos – Lung Infection
5. Questions on the Lungs:
5.1 What does a lung infection feel like?
“People with a lung infection typically experience a sharp, aching pain on one side of their chest that worsens when they breathe in deeply. This is called pleuritic chest pain. It can also feel like a tightness or pressure inside of your chest wall”. (18 May 2017).
5.2 How long does a lung infection last?
“The difference between acute and chronic bronchitis is the length of time the symptoms last. In acute bronchitis, symptoms occur more than five days, and can last up to three weeks. In chronic bronchitis, symptoms last for at least three months of the year during two consecutive years”.
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of lung diseases that prevent proper breathing. Three of the most common COPD conditions are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma that isn’t fully reversible. … There is no cure for COPD, and the damaged airways don’t regenerate”. (30 Nov 2013).
5.4 Can lung damage be reversed?
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease makes it increasingly difficult for a person to breathe. It is not currently possible to cure or reverse the condition completely, but a person can reduce its impact by making some treatment and lifestyle changes”. (15 Nov 2018).
5.5 Are the lungs located in the front or the back?
“From front to back the lungs fill the rib cage but are separated by the heart, which lies in between them. The air that we breathe in enters the nose or mouth, flows through the throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx) and enters the windpipe (trachea)”.
5.6 Can you live with one lung?
“Living with one lung doesn’t usually affect everyday tasks or life expectancy, though a person with one lung wouldn’t be able to exercise as strenuously as a healthy person with two lungs, said Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City”.
“In general, you need at least one lung to live. There is one case of a patient who had both lungs removed and was kept alive for 6 days on life support machines until a lung transplant was performed. This is not a routine procedure and one cannot live long without both lungs”. (2 May 2019).
Can you have one lung removed?
“Most people can get by with only one lung instead of two, if needed. Usually, one lung can provide enough oxygen and remove enough carbon dioxide, unless the other lung is damaged. During a pneumonectomy, the surgeon makes a cut (incision) on the side of your body. He or she surgically removes the affected lung”.
5.7 Is a lung infection always pneumonia?
“Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia”.
5.8 Is a lung infection serious?
“Viruses can also attack the lungs or the air passages that lead to the lungs. Lung infections like pneumonia are usually mild, but they can be serious, especially for people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)”. (8 Apr 2019).
5.9 What is the difference between a lung infection and a chest infection?
“A chest infection is one that affects just the lungs or airways, so a lung infection is a chest infection and also a lower respiratory tract infection. The main types of chest infection are bronchitis and pneumonia”. (3 Apr 2018).
6. Lungs and aspiration:
6.1 Can a pill get stuck in your lungs?
“That keeps the food from traveling down your windpipe to your lungs. Instead, the food goes down your esophagus and moves to your stomach. But pills don’t always go down as easily as food. When tablets get stuck, they often fail to make it past the cricopharyngeus”.
6.2 What happens if a pill goes into your lungs?
“If food or a nonfood item gets stuck along the way, a problem may develop that will require a visit to a doctor. Sometimes when you try to swallow, the swallowed substance “goes down the wrong way” and gets inhaled into your windpipe or lungs (aspirated). A blocked windpipe is a life-threatening emergency”.
6.3 What happens if a pill goes down the wrong pipe?
“The water should flush the pill down your esophagus. Lying down will help relax your throat so the pill can move. It may take a few gulps, but typically a glass of water will dislodge the most stubborn of pills”.
“If the person is coughing”
- “Put water in your mouth”.
- “Lie down flat”.
“Swallow”. (15 Aug 2017).
6.4 What happens when you aspirate food into your lungs?
“Aspiration increases your risk for aspiration pneumonia. This is a condition where pneumonia develops after you’ve inhaled bacteria (through food, drink, saliva, or vomit) into your lungs”.
7. Treatment of Lungs:
- “Steam therapy. Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, involves inhaling water vapor to open the airways and help the lungs drain mucus”.
- “Controlled coughing”.
- “Drain mucus from the lungs”.
- “Exercise”.
- “Green tea”.
- “Anti-inflammatory foods”.
- “Chest percussion”. (18 Feb 2019)
7.2 How do doctors look at your lungs?
“Bronchoscopy is a procedure that lets doctors look at your lungs and air passages. During bronchoscopy, a thin tube (bronchoscope) is passed through your nose or mouth, down your throat and into your lungs”. (31 May 2019).
7.3 How can I test my lungs at home?
“Always stay in the same position throughout the test so that results are not affected. First take a deep breath in and then place the peak flow meter mouthpiece closely and tightly around your lips. Always avoid putting your tongue inside the mouthpiece. Breathe out as forcefully as you can, using a huff like motion”. (21 Jul 2017).
7.4 What is the best test for lungs?
- “Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) An arterial blood gas measures the amount of oxygen that your blood is able to carry to your body tissues”.
- “Blood Testing”.
- “Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)”.
- “Echocardiogram (ECHO)”.
- “Electrocardiogram (EKG)”.
- “Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)”.
- “Radiographic Studies (X-rays)”
8. YouTube Videos Foods that cleanse the Lung Naturally
9. Lung Infection and Food:
9.1 How do I know if I have food in my lungs?
“Aspiration means you’re breathing foreign objects into your airways. Usually, it’s food, saliva, or stomach contents when you swallow, vomit, or experience heartburn. … Most of the time aspiration won’t cause symptoms. You may experience a sudden cough as your lungs try to clear out the substance”.
9.2 What happens if food gets in your lungs?
“Sometimes when you try to swallow, the swallowed substance “goes down the wrong way” and gets inhaled into your windpipe or lungs (aspirated). Inhaling a substance into your lungs can cause a lung inflammation and infection (aspiration pneumonia)”.
9.3 What happens to food that goes down the wrong pipe?
“When somebody feels like something went down the wrong pipe, it usually means that it went into his or her trachea, a process known as aspiration. … Even if you don’t choke, food that makes its way down the trachea into your lungs can lead to a very serious case of pneumonia”. (6 Mar 2014).
9.4 How do I get food out of my lungs?
“Aspiration pneumonia is a complication of pulmonary aspiration. Pulmonary aspiration is when you inhale food, stomach acid, or saliva into your lungs. You can also aspirate food that travels back up from your stomach to your esophagus. All of these things may carry bacteria that affect your lungs”.
9.5 Ways to remove food stuck in throat
- “The ‘Coca-Cola’ trick. Research suggests that drinking a can of Coke, or another carbonated beverage, can help dislodge food stuck in the esophagus”.
- “Simethicone”.
- “Water”.
- “A moist piece of food”.
- “Alka-Seltzer or baking soda”.
- “Butter”.
- “Wait it out”. (1 Feb 2018)
9.6 What happens if a piece of food gets in your lungs?
“Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection that develops after you aspirate (inhale) food, liquid, or vomit into your lungs. … If you are not able to cough up the aspirated material, bacteria can grow in your lungs and cause an infection”.
9.7 What foods are good for your lungs?
Foods for keeping your lungs healthy
- “Water. Water is essential for healthy lungs”.
- “Fatty Fish. Fish high in fat is an excellent choice of food for healthy lungs as they contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which are linked with lung health”.
- “Apples. Apples are the food for adults who want healthy lungs”.
- “Apricots”.
- “Broccoli”.
- “Poultry.”
- “Walnuts”.
- “Beans”. More items.(16 Jan 2013)
9.8 What foods are bad for lungs?
“Here is a list of 7 Worst Foods for COPD and Your Lungs, especially if you suffer from chronic lung disease”.
- “Acidic Foods and Drinks. There is a ring of muscle forming a valve at the end of the esophagus”.
- “Carbonated Beverages”.
- “Cold Cuts”.
- Cruciferous Vegetables.
- “Dairy Products”.
- “Excessive Salt”. (8 Dec 2016)
10. Natural Cures – Lung Infection:
10.1 What is the natural cure for lung infection?
“Cough”
- “Peppermint, eucalyptus, and fenugreek tea. Many warm herbal teas may help soothe a scratchy throat, but herbs, such as peppermint or eucalyptus, may be more beneficial”.
- “Saltwater gargle”.
- “Caffeine”.
- “Warm, damp air”.
- “Rest”.
- “Ginger or turmeric tea”.
- “Hydration”.
- “Fenugreek tea”.More items…(11 Feb 2018).
10.2 How do you treat a lung infection naturally?
Home remedies for chest infection
- “Take OTC medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to lower your fever and help relieve any aches and pains”.
- “Use OTC decongestants or expectorants to help loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up”.
- “Be sure to get plenty of rest”.
- “Drink lots of fluids”. More items… (3 Aug 2018).
10.3 What can I drink to cleanse my lungs?
Ingredients:
- “1 cup fresh orange juice” (2 large oranges)
- “1/2 cup fresh lemon juice” (from about 2 lemons)
- “1 tbsp raw honey”.
- “1 piece of ginger (peel removed) 2″ long up to 1″ thick”.
- “1/4 tsp cayenne pepper”.
- “1/2 cup chopped pineapple (can be fresh or frozen)”.
- “1 tbsp coconut oil”.
- “1 tsp peppermint oil “ (or 5 peppermint leaves). (3 Sep 2017).
10.4 Which juice is best for lungs?
“Juicing for Healthy Lungs: 4 Recipes to Improve Your Respiratory Health”
- “1 cup frozen sweet cherries”.
- “1 cup frozen mango”.
- “3 medium carrots”.
- “4 celery stalks”.
- “1 cup pineapple”.
- “1 cup spinach”.
- “1 lemon”.
- “1 knob ginger”. More items… (16 Aug 2017).
10.5 Can you die from a Lung Infection?
“The takeaway. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can sometimes lead to severe or life-threatening illness and even death. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, it’s important to go see a doctor, particularly if you have certain risk factors”. (29 Aug 2018).
11. Health and Wellbeing – Lungs:
11.1 How can I get my lungs healthy again?
Here are some ways to keep your lungs healthy.
- “Don’t Smoke”.
- “Avoid Exposure to Indoor Pollutants That Can Damage Your Lungs”.
- “Minimize Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution”.
- “Prevent Infection”.
- “Get Regular Healthcare”.
- “Exercise”. (15 Mar 2018).
11.2 What is the best exercise for lungs?
“1. Diaphragmatic breathing”
- “Relax your shoulders and sit back or lie down”.
- “Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest”.
- “Inhale through your nose for two seconds, feeling the air move into your abdomen and feeling your stomach move out”.
- “Breathe out for two seconds through pursed lips while pressing on your abdomen”. More items… (22 May 2017).
11.3 What Vitamins help you breathe better?
“Vitamins A, C, and E for COPD Treatment”“Vitamins A, C, and E are known for their antioxidant properties. Breathing is among the body functions that produce substances called free radicals, which weaken healthy cells and make you more susceptible to infection and disease. Antioxidants protect against free radicals”. (12 Feb 2014 ).
11.4 Is Manuka honey good for lung infection?
“Researchers at the Swansea University have shown that Manuka honey could be useful in treatment of deadly lung infections caused by antimicrobial resistant respiratory bacteria in cystic fibrosis (CF). Around 10,400 persons in UK suffer from CF that makes them vulnerable to different respiratory bacterial infections”. (30 May 2019).
12. Links on Lung Infection:
- Types of lung diseases & their causes
- 10 lung infection facts
- 10 symptoms of a lung infection
- 10 facts about lung infection
- Persistent Bacterial Lung Infection
- Signs and symptoms of a Lung Infection
13. Our Final Thoughts
It can be such a difficult experience when a loved one is in hospital. It can go one of two ways. Both the patient and yourselves have a pleasant experience, or unfortunately both the patient and yourselves do not have a pleasant experience. (The latter being the case for our Dad and the family).
There can be so much to take in that it becomes overwhelming. You might think you know as much as you can, but then later down the line realise there was way more to know than you could of imagined. (Again this is our scenario).
These latest blog topics are eye openers for us. And it also makes us see the realness in what we are saying; knowledge is power, knowledge is key. We say this as over two years later we are still learning new and very useful things about our Dads situation .
Our final thoughts on this would be, if you have had an unpleasant experience, try your best to not beat yourself up should you happen to feel as though your best wasn’t good enough. Try to remember the main responsibility lays in the hands of the medical professionals .
Grief Probate Journey 
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