Pneumonia Center - Abilene, TXAbilene Internist Doctors for PneumoniaType of Physician: Internist What is a Internist? A certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners provide long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. General internists are trained in primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and treatment of problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care. Internists consult with surgeons when surgical management is indicated, and often act as consultants to other specialists. Specialty: Internal Medicine Common Name: Internist Doctors in Abilene * Public Health Clinic  Sam Daggubati MD  Cardiology Consultants  Abilene Diagnostic Clinic  Abilene Diagnostic Clinic  Abilene Diagnostic Clinic  Robert L Striegler MD  George T Williams MD  Thomas A Woodward MD  Medical Care Mission  Abilene VA Outpatient Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Abilene VA Outpatient Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Abilene VA Outpatient Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Dr J Express Care  Brian Ganesh MD  Eugene V Hudman MD  Abilene Diagnostic Clinic  Abilene Eye Institute  Lynn Robinson MD  Stamford Health Clinic  Rolling Plains Clinic  Rolling Plains Clinic  Maples Family Clinic  Heart of Texas Internal Medicine  Heart of Texas Internal Medicine  Heart of Texas Internal Medicine  Heart of Texas Internal Medicine  Heart of Texas Internal Medicine  Brownwood Clinic  Heart of Texas Internal Medicine  Nigalye Nigalye Cox & Butka MDs  Nigalye Nigalye Cox & Butka MDs  Covenant Family Healthcare Center  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  Shannon Clinic Internal Medicine  La Esperanza Health Clinic  La Esperanza Health Clinic  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Community Medical Associates  Family Medical Associates  West Texas Medical Associates  West Texas Medical Associates  Medicenter West  Comanche Medical Center Abilene, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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PneumoniaWhat is pneumonia?Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection. Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will die from pneumonia. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
How do people "catch pneumonia"?Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung. During sleep, it is quite common for people to aspirate secretions from the mouth, throat, or nose. Normally, the body's reflex response (coughing back up the secretions) and their immune system will prevent the aspirated organisms from causing pneumonia. However, if a person is in a weakened condition from another illness, a severe pneumonia can develop. People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease, and swallowing problems, as well as alcoholics, drug users, and those who have suffered a stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population. As we age, our swallowing mechanism can become impaired as does our immune system. These factors, along with some of the negative side effects of medications, increase the risk for pneumonia in the elderly. Once organisms enter the lungs, they usually settle in the air sacs and passages of the lung where they rapidly grow in number. This area of the lung then becomes fille... Recommended Reading Related to PneumoniaSwine flu (H1N1 influenza virus) facts
What is swine flu (novel H1N1 influenza A swine flu)?Swine flu (swine influenza) is a... Other Related Pneumonia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Abilene
Nearby Abilene Hospitals *Hendrick Health System Acadia Abilene Psychiatric Center Abilene Regional Medical Center Anson General Hospital Stamford Memorial Hospital North Runnels Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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