What is lower lobe pneumonia?
Right lower lobe pneumonia or left lower lobe pneumonia produces pain sensations similar to those created by a collapsed lung. The pain is located in the right or left upper abdomen.
What are the signs and symptoms of lower lobe pneumonia?
The symptoms vary somewhat depending on the cause. However, the following signs and symptoms are present:
• Elevated body temperature;
• Pain in the affected chest area;
• Piercing pain with coughing; and
• Pain in the right or left upper abdomen.
How is lower lobe pneumonia diagnosed?
The physician will use chest x-rays to confirm the diagnosis. The pneumonia will appear on the x-ray as a shadowy section in the lung area. There may also be a crackling noise when the physician listens to the patient’s breathing.
How is lower lobe pneumonia treated?
Treatment varies regarding the cause of the pneumonia. If there is no positive identification of a cause, empiric antibiotics are often given.
There is also an FDA-approved non-drug method available, IceWave patches from Lifewave, which will control pain.