ER doctor reveals how pneumonia can suddenly turn deadly after Kyle Busch’s death

This post was originally published on this site.

The sudden death of Kyle Busch has drawn attention to a rare but devastating medical progression: when pneumonia escalates into fatal sepsis.

com/health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">health decline.

“Sepsis is actually not a specific disease or diagnosis, but rather the syndrome that occurs when the body has certain abnormal findings and a presumed infection,” said Dr.Kenneth J.Perry, a South Carolina-based emergency medicine physician.

HOW PNEUMONIA PROGRESSES TO SEPSIS: DOCTORS EXPLAIN AFTER KYLE BUSCH’S DEATH

The markers of sepsis include elevated white blood cell counts, a high or low temperature, and elevated heart andrespiratory rates, according to Perry.Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is often already technically septic by definition.

In the wake of Kyle Busch’s sudden passing, there is a focus on the rapid decline from pneumonia to fatal sepsis.(Getty;iStock)

While many people assume a worsening infection meansbacteria are multiplyinguncontrollably, it often has more to do with the body’s internal environment.

“It is often not the bacteria itself that is causing the specific decline,” Perry said.“In most cases, it is a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection.”

When this inflammation spirals out of control, the body moves from having a manageable infection into severe sepsis.This is when otherwise healthy people can rapidly deteriorate.

SURGE IN WALKING PNEUMONIA AFFECTS THESE HIGH-RISK GROUPS, SAYS DR.MARC SIEGEL

“The concerning thing that can happen with any individual … is thatsepsis can then leadto low blood pressure, worsening vital signs and organ damage,” Perry said.

“As multiple organs fail, it becomes very difficult for the medical team to treat and can sometimes lead ultimately to death.”

Kyle Busch standing in racing suit at Texas Motor Speedway

“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the family shared in a statement.(James Gilbert/Getty Images)

It is very unlikely to have pneumonia and not have any symptoms, according to Perry.Early signs can mimic a severe flu, including fevers, chills, a productive cough, and chest orback painin cases where the lung is infected.

When sepsis begins to take hold, time becomes the most critical factor.“We have known for a number of years that early antibiotic therapy is beneficial in the treatment of sepsis,” Perry said.

If you or a loved one are managing an infection at home, the doctor says the following red flags mean you should bypass the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

A racing heart rateor fever that continues to worsen even after starting treatment

Severe chest pain associated with a productive cough

Close-up view of lungs affected by pneumonia showing inflammation

The slide into sepsis is, in most cases, a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection, the doctor said.(iStock)

While cases like Busch’s are tragic, Perry stressed that this shouldn’t cause widespread panic.Most patients with pneumonia do very well with standardoral antibiotics.

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

The NASCAR star’s rapid decline underscores the importance of medical vigilance and “having aprimary care physicianwith whom you have a good relationship,” according to the ER doctor.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“Monitoring symptoms while having easy access to primary care is a very beneficial and appropriate plan for most patients,” he added.

Khloe Quill is a

New York Attorney General Letitia James joins FIFA investigation into possible ticket price gauging

Cardinals Manager Oliver Marmol: Brewers Relayed Signs Before Abner Uribe Gesture