What Could be Causing Pneumonia?

What Causes Pneumonia?

To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of pneumonia we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow pneumonia to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind pneumonia consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to pneumonia. Here are seven possibilities:

Chronic Bronchitis
Vitamin A Need
Congestive Heart Failure
Alcohol Consequences
Weakened Immune System
Cigarette Smoke Damage
Diabetes II

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

type 2 diabetes IDD

elevated B12 levels

alcoholism

yellow/yellowish fingernails

processed meat consumption

rapid decline in speaking ability

tonsils/adenoids out after age 20

very long menstrual cycles

scrotal edema

2hr postprandial glucose > 250mg%

regular unexplained nausea

shortness of breath when at rest

... and more than 70 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of pneumonia:

Cause	Probability	Status
Congestive Heart Failure	95%	Confirm
Diabetes II	27%	Unlikely
Weakened Immune System	19%	Unlikely
Cigarette Smoke Damage	0%	Ruled out
Vitamin A Need	0%	Ruled out
Alcohol Consequences	0%	Ruled out
Chronic Bronchitis	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Respiratory Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about pneumonia:

Have you had Pneumonia?

Possible responses:

→ Never had it / don't know
→ Probably/minor episode(s) now resolved
→ Major episode(s) now resolved
→ Current minor problem
→ Current major problem

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either history of pneumonia or pneumonia, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Alcohol-related Problems

Alcoholism is a risk factor for the development of pneumonia.

Cigarette Smoke Damage

Smoking is a risk factor for the development of pneumonia.

Congestive Heart Failure

Heart failure is a risk factor for the development of pneumonia.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Lung diseases – such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema – are risk factors for the development of pneumonia.

Diabetes Type II

Diabetes is a risk factor for the development of pneumonia.

Weakened Immune System

People whose immune systems are suppressed, such as those with AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy, are more susceptible to pneumonia.