5. Weak Immune System
Did you know that 60-percent of your immune system resides in your digestive system? Immune function plays a significant role in the development of pneumonia. People with a healthy immune function may be able to fight off infection and avoid contracting pneumonia.
However, individuals with weakened immune systems are easy prey for the bacteria which causes pneumonia. Causes for a weak immune system include a poor diet, filled with refined carbs and sugar that create inflammation in the intestinal wall of the digestive tract. In an inflamed state, immune efficiency drops and you become more susceptible to contracting the disease.
Other causes of weak immune function include drug therapy, as well as conditions such as Immunodeficiency disorders. These disorders inhibit the body’s ability to defend against viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In this weakened state, it’s possible to contract a dangerous strain of pneumonia named “Pneumocystis carinii.” This strain affects both lungs, and the weak immune system enables it to spread quickly between both sides.