Dermatologic Manifestations of Pulmonary Disease

Pneumonia Symptoms At Night: 5 Warning Signs Your Lungs Are Damaged And Filled With Fluid

Pneumonia Symptoms At Night: 5 Warning Signs of Severe Lung Infection That Appear After 10PM. Pneumonia Symptoms At Night: 5 Warning Signs Your Lungs Are Damaged And Filled With Fluid

Pneumonia Symptoms At Night: Pneumonia is a serious inflammatory lung condition marked by infection in the alveoli, the tiny air sacs essential for breathing. Different pathogens can cause this infection, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The seriousness of pneumonia can range from mild ailments to life-threatening situations, especially affecting young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

On World Pneumonia Day, let's understand how to spot this condition early and prevent the lungs from getting damaged completely.

What Causes Pneumonia?

Pneumonia can arise from various pathogens. The most frequently involved bacteria is Streptococcus pneumoniae, while others, such as Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, can also cause infections. Viral pneumonia, frequently triggered by the influenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is another common form. Though less prevalent, fungal pneumonia can occur, particularly in people with compromised immune systems due to fungi like Aspergillus or Cryptococcus. Grasping these causes is vital for effective treatment and preventive actions.

5 Warning Signs of Pneumonia At Night

Here are the top 5 warning signs and symptoms of pneumonia that appear at night:

Persistent Cough

One of the first signs of pneumonia is a persistent cough. It might start out dry but can turn into a wet cough that brings up mucus over time. At night, this cough can become more intense, interrupting your sleep and causing fatigue. If your cough has a wheezing sound or is so bad that it's hard to breathe, it's important to see a doctor. This could mean your lungs are having difficulty clearing excess fluid, a common issue with pneumonia.

Difficulty Breathing

Another critical sign of pneumonia is trouble breathing, known as dyspnea. This can feel worse at night, especially when you're lying down. You might notice you are breathless even during light activity. This happens due to fluid building up in the lungs, making it tough for oxygen to get into your bloodstream. If you find yourself struggling to breathe or gasping for air, particularly at night, it's crucial to reach out to a healthcare provider right away.

Chest Pain At Night

Chest pain is another concerning symptom linked to pneumonia. This discomfort may worsen with coughing or deep breaths and can be more pronounced at night. It might feel sharp or dull, creating a pressure sensation in your chest. This pain arises from inflammation in the lungs and their surrounding areas. If the pain is severe or comes with symptoms like a rapid heartbeat or sweating, it could indicate a serious infection that needs urgent medical attention.

Sudden Fever and Chills

Fever and chills are common signs of an infection like pneumonia. During the night, these symptoms can greatly disrupt your sleep. You might experience a high fever paired with chills, leading to excessive sweating and discomfort. This is your body's response to fighting off the infection, but it could also mean the pneumonia is serious. If you have a fever that doesn't improve with over-the-counter medications, it's vital to get medical help.

Extreme Fatigue and Weakness

While often ignored, fatigue and weakness are significant symptoms of pneumonia. As the body battles the infection, you may feel extremely tired, especially at night. This exhaustion can interfere with daily activities and might be made worse by a lack of sleep from other symptoms. If you are feeling unusually drained and not getting better with rest, it could be a sign of a serious lung infection that needs prompt medical evaluation.

Beware of the signs and symptoms of pneumonia mentioned above. Although these indicators are not restricted to only being visible at nighttime, they are most common after 10pm.

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Understanding Bronchitis: A Doctor Answers Your FAQs

It is respiratory virus season, and besides possibly developing a cold, flu or COVID-19, over 13 million individuals will develop another common ailment, acute bronchitis or also referred to as a chest cold. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, sometimes bacteria or lung irritant. Bronchitis is inflammation in the airways of the lungs, causing swelling and excess mucus production. This narrows your airways and causes a persistent cough which is the most common symptom. It can also cause wheezing, fatigue and shortness of breath. However, a more severe form called chronic bronchitis is a sign of a bigger problem. We spoke with Francesca Polverino, MD, PhD, a physician scientist and tenured associate professor of medicine at Baylor College who answered some of our most pressing questions about this condition.

Q: How contagious is bronchitis?

The term bronchitis means inflammation of the airways. Short-term or acute bronchitis is not contagious on its own. However, acute bronchitis is often caused by the same viruses that cause colds and the flu, and viruses are contagious, especially in the early stages when symptoms like coughing and sneezing can spread the virus. When the inflammation of the airways persists, it becomes chronic bronchitis, typically associated with long-term lung irritants such as smoking. Chronic bronchitis is one of the main diseases that comprise chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causing limited air in and out of the airways. Chronic bronchitis is also not contagious on its own. Simple hygiene practices like frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, staying home when you are sick can help reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria that may cause acute bronchitis.

Q: Is there anything I can do to prevent bronchitis?

I always emphasize the importance of preventative measures—avoiding smoking, maintaining good hand hygiene, getting flu and COVID-19 (RSV, Tdap and pneumococcal pneumonia immunizations are also recommended for some patients) vaccines and addressing underlying conditions like asthma or COPD early on. If someone frequently experiences bronchitis, especially after exposure to certain environments, it's worth exploring the triggers or considering an underlying chronic lung condition that may need treatment such as asthma.

Q: How do I know if I have bronchitis? When should I see a doctor?

Bronchitis usually presents with a persistent cough, which may or may not be productive (bringing up mucus), along with fatigue, slight fever and chest discomfort. Most people with acute bronchitis will recover within two to three weeks, though the cough may linger a bit longer. If the cough lasts more than three weeks and is accompanied by a high fever or shortness of breath, if the mucus becomes bloody or if you are experiencing other severe or concerning symptoms, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Bronchitis is rarely fatal in healthy individuals, but it can be more serious for older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions. This is why it is especially important for people with chronic lung disease, like asthma or COPD, to seek advice sooner as bronchitis can exacerbate these conditions. Chronic bronchitis, as part of COPD, is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management and can contribute to mortality over time if not managed properly.

Q: Can bronchitis lead to more severe problems, like pneumonia?

Bronchitis doesn't usually progress to pneumonia, but it can in some cases, particularly if the person has an underlying lung condition, a compromised immune system or if the bronchitis was caused by a bacterial infection, the illness can develop into pneumonia. For patients worried about this progression, I suggest learning the symptoms of pneumonia and stress the importance of following-up with your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen. Worsening symptoms may include a high fever, chest pains or difficulty breathing. In these cases, more aggressive treatment like antibiotics or even hospitalization might be necessary.

Q: What are some dos and don'ts for managing bronchitis?

Most cases of acute bronchitis resolve on their own within a couple of weeks. For treatment and management of bronchitis, I recommend plenty of fluids, rest, and using a humidifier to ease breathing. Over-the-counter medications can help with symptoms like pain and fever. Do not smoke or expose yourself to secondhand smoke, as it can worsen inflammation. Also, avoid irritants like dust or fumes. Antibiotics are generally not necessary unless there is evidence of a bacterial infection. So, it's important not to take antibiotics unless they are prescribed, as bronchitis is often viral, and antibiotics won't help. Lastly, if there is an underlying chronic respiratory condition, the treatment might require bronchodilators and inhaled or oral corticosteroids, so talk to your doctor.

Learn more about acute bronchitis, and how it differs from chronic bronchitis.

Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Infection And Lung Effects

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is group of organisms causing a bacterial infection that leads to lung disease. MAC is noncontagious and made up of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which are highly prevalent organisms in the United States typically found in drinking water, soil, or aerosols.

It is considered the most common cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in the world, with more than 86,000 Americans living with lung disease caused by the infection. In many cases, healthy individuals are not affected by MAC, but vulnerable populations and those who fall into high-risk categories can become severely ill.

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Spread of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Infection A MAC infection is not contagious, so it doesn't spread through human contact or respiratory droplets like other types of bacterial infections. Instead, it is contracted through inhaling or ingesting contaminated substances containing the bacteria, typically drinking water, soil, or aerosols, such as those that come off shower heads or hot tubs. Healthy individuals, or those who don't fall into a high-risk group, are often unaffected by MAC, and people come into contact with the bacteria daily. Those with existing lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however, can become ill when they ingest MAC. MAC Subtypes There are three subtypes of MAC: M. Avium subspecies hominissuis, the human type M. Avium subspecies avium serotype 1, 2 and 3, and M. Avium subspecies silvaticum, the bird type M. Avium subspecies paratuberculosis, the ruminant type found in the stomach of animals that eat plants Risk Factors and Vulnerable Demographics People with no underlying health conditions that affect the lungs or immune system often inhale or ingest MAC, and it does not cause any issues. However, vulnerable demographics can develop severe lung infections when they come into contact with the bacteria. People most vulnerable to MAC include: Those with existing lung diseases, including COPD, cystic fibrosis, silicosis, a previous tuberculosis infection, or bronchiectasis People with autoimmune disease People living with a weakened immune system, such as those living with active human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or people taking immunosuppressant medications such as chemotherapy drugs or prednisone Older adults over the age of 65 Postmenopausal women Current smokers or those with a history of smoking Characteristic Symptoms When people ingest or inhale MAC, the bacterial infection begins to cause inflammation, lung damage, and scarring. Over time, that damage worsens, making it a progressive infection. After a while of living with the illness and the ensuing damage, the airways become compromised and cannot perform as they should or clear mucus properly. This leads to recurrent infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. When symptoms develop, they can include: Anemia Appetite loss and unintended weight loss Chest congestion Chronic cough Coughing up blood Fatigue that can be so severe it interferes with daily activities Night sweats Shortness of breath Swollen lymph nodes  Yellow, green, white, or clear sputum Asymptomatic MAC and Delayed Diagnosis In some cases, MAC infections can be asymptomatic. One study looked at people with the infection and found that 15.7% presented without symptoms but still had signs of lung damage. Not showing symptoms of MAC can lead to a delayed diagnosis, interfere with successful treatment, and cause the progression of lung damage.   MAC Diagnosis vs. Differential Diagnoses The signs and symptoms of MAC are similar to those of other lung diseases, which can make diagnosing the infection challenging. In some cases, diagnosis can be delayed for months or years after contracting the infection, which can worsen patient outcomes. Testing, exams, and checkups  A series of steps is involved in correctly diagnosing MAC in those with the infection. They include: Clinical exams to gather health history, test breathing abilities, and symptom collection Imaging tests, such as chest X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans, to look for lung changes and damage Lab cultures to confirm that MAC is present in the sputum (phlegm) and lungs Bronchoscopy, a lab culture used if a person cannot produce enough sputum for a sample Repeated Sputum Tests to Reduce False Positives Since MAC can be present in the airways but not cause lung damage, the sputum lab culture may be performed several times and on different days to get a definitive positive or negative result. Long-Term MAC Treatment Treatment for MAC isn't always done at the first sign of infection. Instead, healthcare providers will try to determine the progression of the disease before offering treatment options. They do this to avoid giving unnecessary antibiotic treatments to those who will clear the infection on their own. The factors that go into determining if treatment is needed right away include: Extensive disease that is causing severe damage Lesions in the lung cavity Low body mass index (BMI) Poor nutritional status Positive sputum test, alongside symptoms and lung damage If these factors are not met, your healthcare provider may monitor symptoms until the disease begins to progress, at which time they will start treatment. Antibiotic Types and Effectiveness  When treatment for MAC is done, healthcare providers use a combination of antibiotics to knock out the bacteria. The treatment recommendations include using three different types, including rifampin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin or azithromycin, administered to the person for 12 months following negative sputum cultures. Other drugs may also be added to the treatment plan, including Vetstrep (streptomycin) and Amikin (amikacin). These are reserved for people who have severe disease with extensive lung damage. Typically, the doses are given three times per week or daily. How Effective Is Treatment? Success rates for treatment vary depending on the individual and disease severity. According to research, success rates can range from 32% to 65%, with the three-drug regimen being the most effective form of treatment. If antibiotic treatment is not effective, surgery may be beneficial for those with the infection. Surgery can be used to remove damaged areas of the lung or to stop persistent bleeding. Reasons for Severe, Prolonged, or Recurrent Infection If MAC is not fully treated recurrent infections are possible. They can cause more severe symptoms, and the damage to the lungs is often irreversible. People can be re-infected by the same MAC strain or a new one. Antibiotic Resistance and MAC In some cases, antibiotic resistance may develop in those with MAC infections. This means that the antibiotics no longer work for the same strain of the bacteria. It usually happens with one specific drug, macrolide monotherapy, and changes the course of treatment. Other antibiotics will then have to be used to treat MAC infections. Prognosis and Curability While treatment can possibly provide curative properties from MAC, it is not always the case if treatment doesn't work. The damage to the lungs is also often irreversible, leading to lifetime issues with the lungs and breathing. People with more advanced diseases are at the highest risk of death caused by MAC infections. MAC-attributable mortality is difficult to discern and it varies in different studies from 5% to 40%. This wide range is owing to differences in coexisting medical conditions and age, with older people and those who have comorbidities (co-occurring medical conditions) or a more severe illnesses having a greater risk for death if they incidentally also have MAC. Summary MAC is a bacterial infection that causes lung damage and scarring. The several bacteria that make up MAC are highly prevalent and can be inhaled every day. However, in healthy people, it doesn't cause any issues. In those with underlying health conditions that affect the lungs or immune system, the infection can become severe and require treatment. Treatment involves antibiotics, as they are the only drugs used to counter bacterial infections. Since MAC can be severe, there is a 25% mortality rate associated with the disease. Knowing the signs of infection and understanding your personal risk factors can help you seek the appropriate care if you believe you have a MAC infection.

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