Community Acquired Pneumonia

Joshua Strommen MD, FACEP

In 2015 Influenza and Pneumonia combined were the 8th most common cause of death in the United States. Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue itself. The constellation of symptoms associated with pneumonia (cough, fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing) is a common reason for seeking medical care.

Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) can be the result of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. A few conditions that predispose someone to getting pneumonia are smoking tobacco, chronic alcoholism, recent influenza infection, advanced age, and diabetes.

How is Pneumonia diagnosed?

How is pneumonia treated?

The treatment for pneumonia is either oral or intravenous antibiotics for approximately 5-7 days. Additionally, the most common cause for CAP is Streptococcal pneumoniae, which there is a vaccine for. This vaccine has had clear success in preventing invasive pneumococcal infection.

Pneumonia can be a dangerous diagnosis that has identifiable risk factors and symptoms. At PremiER, we have the ability to diagnose and treat pneumonia with x-rays, blood work, and oral or IV medications.  

What is Causing Your Chest Pain?

Joshua Strommen MD, FACEP

            Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to visit the Emergency Department in the United States. The very idea of chest pain causes significant concern to patients and physicians alike. For the patient there are usually concerns of a heart attack, anxiety, or maybe even gastrointestinal reflux (heartburn). For the physician there are several other disease processes that need to be considered in addition to the more common causes, which are listed below.

Common Causes of Chest Pain

7 Dangerous Causes of Chest Pain

1.     Acute myocardial infarction (Heart Attack) – An artery in your heart is occluded. There are 2 types of heart attacks.

a.     Type 1 - You will be immediately sent to a cardiologist and they will need to open the artery with a stent or potentially heart surgery.

b.     Type 2 - You will be given medicines to help improve blood flow.

2.     Pulmonary Embolism – This is a blood clot that is found in your lungs. It causes shortness of breath, and prevents oxygen from getting into your body. This is treated with blood thinners for up to 3-6 months, or sometimes for life.

3.     Pneumothorax – This is a collapsed lung and you will need supplemental oxygen or a chest tube inserted into your chest to re-expand the lung.

4.     Aortic Dissection – The Aorta is the biggest artery in your body, and if it expands or ruptures it is life threatening. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and smoking are major contributors to this disease.

5.     Pneumonia – This is a bacterial infection in the lungs that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

6.     Esophageal Rupture – In very rare instances your esophagus can tear, which can cause a severe infection where you will need hospitalization and antibiotics.

7.     Pericardial Effusion – This is diagnosed when there is fluid around the heart, and causing the heart to be compressed. Common causes include cancer, autoimmune conditions, or viral infections.

SEEK CARE AT AN EMERGENCY ROOM IF:

1.     Your chest pain is worse with exertion (walking, working, running).

2.     You have new chest pain that you have never had before.

3.     Your chest pain is associated with shortness of breath

4.     Your chest pain is associated with vomiting, sweating, or abdominal pain

At PremiER chest pain is always evaluated in our Emergency Room. We can evaluate, diagnose, and treat all of the above emergencies if they are identified. We are also capable of getting you to a cardiologist within minutes of your arrival if the need arises. So don’t hesitate to call or visit us if you are concerned.