Senior Living News

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a bacterial infection that can affect one or both lungs. Your lungs are filled with little air sacs called alveoli. When you have pneumonia, the lung infection causes those air sacs to fill up with fluid. The fluid and inflammation can make it more challenging for you to breathe well and impact the oxygen in your blood.

Reasons Older Adults Are More Susceptible to Pneumonia

As you get older, your risk of developing pneumonia may increase for a variety of reasons. Some of those include:

• Decreased immunity. Your immune system can become weaker as you get older. That means it might not be able to fight off infections like pneumonia as well as when you were younger.
• Living arrangements. Pneumonia can be contagious. If you live in a senior living community, you might be exposed to more germs due to the number of people living in close proximity.
• Medical conditions. If you have chronic health conditions, they can also weaken your immune system. If you spend time in the hospital due to other issues, you could be exposed to more infections, including pneumonia.
• Aspiration. Older adults might have weaker muscles, which could lead to aspiration pneumonia. This happens when fluid or particles make their way into your lungs.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Many symptoms of pneumonia are similar to other respiratory infections, so it's not always easy to determine if you have it. Some typical symptoms include:

• Coughing up phlegm
• Pain in your chest when you cough or breathe
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Decreased oxygen levels in the blood
• Headache

Older adults sometimes have unique pneumonia symptoms, which may include:

• Weakness
• Balance issues
• Lower body temperature
• Urinary incontinence
• Confusion
• Decreasing appetite
• Interference with daily activities
• Sudden worsening of an existing medical condition

Potential Complications for Older Adults

Older adults are more likely to get pneumonia and have it more severely. Adults 65 and older have four times the incidence of pneumonia as younger people. The risks of hospitalization and death are also higher for the elderly. You also have the risk of complications when you get pneumonia, including:

• Spreading infection. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs, spreading the infection.
• Fluid buildup. If you have excess fluid buildup from pneumonia, your care providers might need to drain the fluid or perform surgery.
• Breathing complications. Pneumonia affects your breathing, but older adults might have more severe breathing difficulties. This can be more severe if you have existing lung conditions.
• Lung abscesses. A lung abscess is filled with pus. It can sometimes be treated with antibiotics, but it might also need to be drained or removed through surgery.
• Sepsis. Some infections, including pneumonia, can cause sepsis, which is an extreme, full-body response. It turns the immune response against different organs and can lead to septic shock or death. Adults 65 and older have a higher risk of developing sepsis. Other risk factors that adults might have include chronic medical conditions and weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia Prevention

Taking precautions can reduce your risk of pneumonia as an older adult. Some strategies to incorporate into your routine include:

• Vaccinations. You can get a vaccine to protect yourself against the infection. You might ask your loved ones and other people you spend time around to get it as well for extra protection.
• Sanitation. Wash your hands frequently and avoid putting your hands on or near your face. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces in your home can also help get rid of bacteria that could cause an issue.
• Overall health. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep and managing your other health conditions can improve your overall health. This keeps you stronger and better able to fend off infections.
• Kick your smoking habit. If you smoke, stopping can help you in many ways. It could improve your lung health and immunity. Those things could help you avoid pneumonia. It's also beneficial to avoid secondhand cigarette smoke.
• Limit exposure. Avoiding large gatherings exposes you to fewer germs that could cause pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. When you're around other people, keeping your distance can also protect you.
• Talk to your doctor. If you're concerned about your risks of getting pneumonia, discuss your concerns with your doctor. They can check your medical history to determine if you have a higher risk of pneumonia. They can also give you tips for avoiding it.

Taking precautions and seeking medical attention if you're concerned you have pneumonia could help you stay healthier.