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What are the Best Tips for Pneumonia Recovery?

By Felicia Dye
Updated Feb 17, 2024
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For the best results with pneumonia recovery, an individual should follow his or her physician’s orders. This is especially true with regard to taking medication. It is also important to create bodily conditions that are conducive to recovery. This can be done by eating properly, getting the needed rest, and caring for any other medical conditions. Furthermore, it is important for people to be aware of their symptoms and whether or not they are improving.

Pneumonia can be caused by different bacteria and viruses. This illness also has a tendency to affect individuals differently. Considering this, it is important to realize that having once had pneumonia does not make a person an authority on the illness. People should explicitly follow the instructions outlined by their health care providers and should avoid the temptation to take medical advice from former patients.

Among the instructions that people need to explicitly follow are those regarding medication. It is very important for the sake of pneumonia recovery that people take all their medicines for the prescribed period of time. This advice applies even when people feel as if they have fully recovered. Cutting the treatment period short often results in the illness reemerging.

In addition to maintaining treatment for pneumonia, it is also important to maintain treatment for other conditions that a person suffers from. A weakened immune system can retard recovery. Bad habits such as smoking also need to be avoided, if not abandoned, during this time.

What a person consumes has a significant impact on pneumonia recovery. It is very likely that there may be some times during the recovery period when pneumonia sufferers have little or no appetite. Although they may not want food, it is still necessary for them to not only eat, but to eat balanced and sufficient meals. The consumption of adequate amounts of fluids is also essential in most cases where liquids have not been restricted.

The pneumonia recovery process is greatly facilitated by rest. Those fighting their way back to health may get restless as they begin to feel better because they have spent so much time lying around. The amount of activity that a person engages in should be gradually increased as he or she recovers. Those recovering from pneumonia need to make sure not to overexert themselves.

Despite a person's best efforts, pneumonia recovery does not always go as planned. Sufferers need to be aware of the signs that suggest that their conditions are worsening instead of improving. When this is the case, those individuals should not convince themselves to try to tough it out. They need to promptly seek further medical attention.

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Discussion Comments

By candyquilt — On Dec 31, 2014

When I had pneumonia, I just slept all the time. That's why it's important to have someone to help. I couldn't even make a meal for myself when I was ill, I was so exhausted. My mom came over and took care of me until I got better. It's important to just rest when dealing with pneumonia.

By burcinc — On Dec 31, 2014

@discographer-- Oh yea, the lungs hate cold air. I'm sure sitting in the cold made things worse for her. Make sure that her house is warm. She needs to keep herself warm and if she has a humidifier that she can keep in her bedroom, that will help a lot. Lungs love warm, humid air and it will also help her breathe better.

Aside from this, if she's taking her antibiotics, she should start feeling better soon. She needs to drink a lot of water. Water is a great expectorant and not getting enough will slow down recovery. Soup is a great idea. If she doesn't have diabetes, fruits and fruit juice will also help. You can also make some tea for her. The more fluids, the better!

If she gets worse instead of better though, please take her to the hospital. Pneumonia can be very dangerous for the elderly. She may need an IV serum or stronger antibiotics if things are getting worse. Please keep an eye out on her, you're doing a wonderful thing.

By discographer — On Dec 30, 2014

My neighbor has been down with pneumonia for the past week. She initially had an upper respiratory infection but she didn't go to the doctor about it. And she wasn't turning up the heat high enough in her home. It was quite chilly in there when I visited her. So all of this made the infection turn into pneumonia. She is taking antibiotics now but they haven't quite kicked in yet. She's still coughing ferociously. I'm making some hot soup for her but what else can I do or suggest to her to speed up her recovery. I feel bad for her. She lives alone and has no children.

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