“I am home.” My mum was struck to hear my voice; no doubt the reason was my early return to home from office. Yeah from past few days I am having itchy days. Gosh! How creepy it sounds but that was the reality. I rushed myself towards my room in order to get a good shower. My mother came in with glass of water and some fruits “you again had a itchy day?” I wanted to scream mom please at least you don’t call it in the same manner like the others do but what pulled me back was my conscious who screaming ‘ please she is concerned about you.’
“ yeah mom it was the same like you all call it itchy day” I guess she felt bad for the words but pacing herself she just added” why don’t you find the root cause of this bad days ?” moms I just don’t understand how are they just so good I mean just so good. She within a moment found out that those creepy words were troubling and even got a substitute for it. Releasing my sharpness in words, I lowered tone “mom I have took painkiller, I will be fine”. Again I was wrong she wanted me to figure out the root cause of it and I was informing her about the treatment ‘Why are we so bad?”.
This time my super mom suggested me “I am talking about the root cause, Hannah. Find out why is this happening; consult some Consultant rather then just to pop some pills. If you want I will accompany you defiantly if you are comfortable.” Well suggestion undoubtedly was good but her words made me realize that I have to be with my mom. “Oh that’s great; I mean I will definitely be happy if you come along. “A happy ending to the conversation. And happy beginning to end the problem.
The meet with my consultant pushed me a pool of questions. She had come to conclusion that this is bacterial pneumonia and the root cause is stress. I was numb when I heard Stress is a root cause of my entire problem. No doubt my career was racing at its max speed and yes I was suffering from stress but was that the root of bacterial pneumonia. She sensed my uncomfortable attitude and knew that I was unwilling to believe her diagnosis. Not unless she explains me with sufficient evidences. But before I could ponder my question she herself came up with all answers.
“Well to start with it was once commonly thought that infectious diseases are only due to infective organisms. Contrary to this common belief a number of observation revealed that colonization of host by infective organism does not necessarily result in illness, it is the body’s own level which varies with stress , and is the causative factor.” I requested her to be more precise and simple.
“The psychological stress increases the production of ACTH – releasing factor in the hypothalamus which raises the secretion of ACTH from pituitary gland which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to increase the level of corticosteroids. The increased concentration of corticosteroids in the blood further depresses the immunological defense mechanism which increases the body’s susceptibility to infective organisms”
While I was trying to grasp all the technical terms she broke my thought “ in short, the increase in stress lowers the immune system which invites all infective organism to rest in your body and enjoy all the privileges “ well I understood this version which made me a bit of relax as I was getting what exactly going in my body.
Since, I wanted to know all the details of the bacteria that was enjoying dancing in my lovely body so I requested her to give more information. So she continued “ the evidence also suggests that stressful the immune function are associated with increased uric acid levels that may suppress the immune function.” “if you are curious to know about the bacteria that is resting in your body then it is called as Streptococcus is a genus from spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firm cutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. They grow in chains or pairs, “Streptococcus species are responsible for many cases of meningitis bacterial pneumonia, endocarditic, erysipelas and necrotizing fasciitis. It is found that acute or chronic family stress were important factor in determining whether a person became susceptible to Streptococcus “
“Well this bacteria suppress your immune system but we have got very good medical and psychological treatment to over come this bacterial pneumonia.”
In few 15 days I got back to my work but the things that did wonder on me; I would like to share all those with you :
- In bacterial pneumonia, you will need to take an antibiotic. The antibiotic choice depends on your age, your chronic medical conditions, whether or not you smoke or drink alcohol, But before taking any anti biotic you need to tell your doctor about allergies or bad reactions to any medicines you have experienced
- Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids to stay hydrated. This helps your body fight the pneumonia. Having fresh fruit juice also increases your immune system.
- As coughing helps clear infection out of your lungs, your doctor may recommend that you not use a cough suppress an
- Avoid cigarette or other tobacco smoke while you recover from pneumonia. Smoking hurts your body’s ability to fight infection and makes the healing process take a lot longer.
- It is very much necessary to have proper diet and good bed rest
- Few exercises will also definitely help especially yoga and breathing exercises will ease your breathe.
- And the most importantly is stop worrying and live a happy life. Don’t take unnecessary stress. Try and relax yourself by enjoying what you like. Go for reading , a long evening walk , listen to your favorite soundtracks, spend a quality time with your family and friends.
Well, from my experience I had been very frustrated in all ways of my life. Be it career or be it personal I was messing my life with all the unnecessary burden called stress. And that stress had introduced me to Bacterial Pneumonia.
It is actually a burden which we need to get rid off. And like every one says just try and find out what good things a bad situation is offering you. As for me bacterial pneumonia was a bad situation but what good thing it did to me was I could spend ample of quality time with my parents. It seemed ages that I was good to them. Secondly I could give time to myself ,my hobbies ,my world, my friends and importantly I was doing something I use to love doing.
No doubt I enjoyed working, I loved my work but it is wiser to have a balance love life.
I would just tell you whenever you are stressed follow the lines by Maureen Killoran
“When you find yourself stressed, ask yourself one question:
Will this matter in 5 years from now?
If yes, then do something about the situation.
If no, then let it go.”
