Pneumonia

Running head : Pathophysiology of Pneumonia

Pathophysiology of Pneumonia

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Introduction

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the alveoli , which are sacs of the lungs that are microscopically filled with air that absorbs oxygen from our atmosphere , or the bronchioles (branch-like structures ) of the lungs , caused by an acute infection . It is also sometimes referred to as pneumonitis or bronchopneumonia

Tortora Grabowski explained that when certain microbes enter the lungs of susceptible individuals , they release damaging toxins stimulating inflammation and immune responses that have damaging

side effects . The toxins and immune response damage alveoli and bronchial mucous membranes inflammation and edema cause the alveoli to fill with debris and exudates (fluid ) interfering with ventilation and gas exchange (2004 , page 845

Pneumonia is a common illness that affects all age groups and is known to be the most common cause of death from an infectious disease particularly among the elderly and people with debilitating diseases

Aetiology

Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes , including infection with bacteria , viruses , fungi or parasites . Pneumonia may also occur from chemical or physical injury to the lungs or indirectly due to another medical illness , such as lung cancer or alcohol abuse (Medic8 Family Heath Guide . In addition to this , pneumonia can also be acquired from gastric secretions that are aspirated into the lungs

Porth classified pneumonia as typical (i .e , bacterial ) or atypical (i .e , viral or mycoplasmal ) pneumonias . Typical pneumonia results from infection by bacteria that multiply extracellularly (outside the cell in...