10 foods you must have during pneumonia for a speedy recovery

Pneumonia is a respiratory disorder which happens because of the inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. These air sacs commonly known as alveoli are filled up with fluids or pus which can cause a breathing problem and also fever, cough and chills. The fluid is called mucus or phlegm which causes a lot of discomfort. It is caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses. This infection is common in infants and people who are above 65 years as they have a weak immune system.

It is a life-threatening condition and you must immediately rush to the doctor if even a slight breathing discomfort develops and there is no way pneumonia can be cure by home remedies and foods. It needs treatment in a hospital with a concoction of drugs. However, after the initial critical phase is over, you can include some nourishing foods in your diet to help speed up recovery.

If you experience the following symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor and take the prescribed measures.

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

Cough

Fatigue

Fever and chills

Nausea and vomiting

Add the following foods in your diet in controlling the symptoms of the infection. These foods help in the healthy maintenance of the lungs and prevent the development of an infection in the respiratory tract. They also increase your immunity and help in fighting infection. You must have them along with the medicines prescribed by the doctor.

Drinking plenty of fluids is highly recommended if you are suffering from pneumonia. Not only water but other fluids like juices help in loosening the mucus from the lungs. They flush out the harmful toxins and help in getting rid of the foreign particles that cause an obstruction in the respiratory tract.

The carbohydrate content in the whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, oats, barley provides energy to the body during this time. The B- vitamins in them help in the production of energy and keeping the body temperature in control. The selenium mineral present in these grains strengthens the immune system.

A diet rich in protein is beneficial for the people suffering from pneumonia. Foods like nuts, seeds, beans, white meat and cold water fishes like salmon and sardines have anti-inflammatory properties. They also in repairing the damaged tissues and building the new tissues in the body.

Leafy vegetables like kale, lettuce, spinach are packed with nutrients that help in the healing of this respiratory infection. They contain antioxidants that protect the body against infectious agents.

The vitamin- C rich citrus fruits like oranges, berries, kiwi help in boosting the immune system and thus promote a speedy recovery. They also contain antioxidants that protect the body against foreign agents.

Foods like yoghurt contain the probiotics which inhibit the growth of the pneumonia-causing pathogen. They also boost the immune system as they increase the good bacteria in the gut.

Honey is known for its healing properties for a very long time. It aids in curing cough and cold which are the symptoms of pneumonia. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

This tea might help in curing the persistent cough one experiences in pneumonia. Also, researches show that fenugreek seeds can help a person in sweating which reduces their body temperature during fever.

Turmeric acts as a mucolytic, which means it helps in removing the mucus and catarrh from the bronchial ducts which leads to easy breathing. It even has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce chest pain. It can be consumed both with milk or in the form of tea.

Ginger can help in fighting the pneumonia-causing microbes with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps in reducing the chest pain which is a symptom of the infection. You can consume it in the form of ginger tea to ease the pain.