Pulmonary Embolism: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
Treatment, Causes, And Symptoms Of Pulmonary Edema (Fluid In The Lungs)
Pulmonary edema is when fluid collects in the air sacs of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It can result from heart disease, pneumonia, and other health issues.
Pulmonary edema can be acute (occurring suddenly) or chronic (occurring more slowly over time). Acute pulmonary edema is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Fluid in the lungs is often the result of congestive heart failure, in which the heart cannot keep up with the demands of the body.
Treatment of pulmonary edema usually focuses on improving respiratory function and addressing the source of the problem. It generally includes providing additional oxygen and medications to treat the underlying conditions.
This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment for pulmonary edema.
During typical breathing, the small air sacs in the lungs, known as alveoli, fill up with air. The lungs take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Pulmonary edema occurs when fluid floods the alveoli.
This flooding causes two problems:
Common causes of pulmonary edema include:
Pulmonary edema also occurs as part of a condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe inflammation of the lungs that leads to significant breathing difficulties. Direct injury to the lungs or inflammation in other parts of the body can cause this condition.
Other possible causes include:
Cardiogenic pulmonary edemaPulmonary edema that results from a direct problem with the heart is called cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Congestive heart failure is a common cause of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. In this condition, the left ventricle is unable to pump out enough blood to meet the body's needs.
This causes a buildup of pressure in other parts of the circulatory system, forcing fluid into the air sacs of the lungs and other parts of the body.
The following heart-related problems can also lead to pulmonary edema:
Causes of pulmonary edema that are not due to poor heart function are called noncardiogenic and are often the result of ARDS.
Acute pulmonary edema causes significant breathing difficulties and can appear without warning. It is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. Without proper treatment and support, it can be fatal.
In addition to breathing difficulties, the following symptoms can indicate acute pulmonary edema:
If the pulmonary edema is chronic, symptoms are usually less severe until the body's system can no longer compensate. Symptoms may include:
A healthcare professional will typically begin with a physical exam. They will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs for crackles and rapid breathing and to the heart for abnormal rhythms.
The healthcare professional will generally order blood tests to determine blood oxygen levels. They will often order additional blood tests to check the following:
An echocardiogram or an electrocardiogram (EKG) can help determine the condition of the heart.
The doctor may order a chest X-ray or a lung ultrasound to see whether there is any fluid in or around the lungs and to check the size of the heart. They may also order a CT scan.
Pulmonary edema happens when fluid collects inside the lungs, in the alveoli, making it difficult to breathe. Pleural effusion also involves fluid in the lung area and is sometimes called "water on the lungs."
However, in pleural effusion, fluid collects in the layers of the pleura that are outside the lungs.
Often, pleural effusion results from inflammation or a blockage due to a condition such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or cancer. This is known as an exudative pleural effusion.
A transudative pleural effusion is another type that can also be due to excess fluid buildup in the body. This can result from heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney failure.
Pulmonary edema can overlap with pneumonia, but it is a different condition. Pneumonia is an infection that often occurs as a complication of a respiratory infection such as the flu.
Though it can be difficult to distinguish between the two, a healthcare professional will try to make a correct diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment based on a person's detailed medical history, physical exam, and test results.
To raise a person's blood oxygen levels, a healthcare professional will administer oxygen through either a face mask or nasal cannulas, which are tiny plastic tubes that a healthcare professional places in a person's nose to provide oxygen.
Healthcare professionals may place a breathing tube in the trachea if a ventilator — a machine that helps a person breathe — is necessary.
If tests show that pulmonary edema is the result of a problem in the circulatory system, healthcare professionals will administer IV medications to help reduce fluid volume and regulate blood pressure.
Diuretics are the most commonly used medication and can help reduce fluid buildup by increasing the production of urine.
Depending on the specific cause and a person's symptoms, a healthcare professional may use any of the following other medications to treat pulmonary edema:
People with an increased risk of developing pulmonary edema should follow a doctor's advice to manage the condition.
If a person has congestive heart failure, following a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining a moderate body weight can help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of future episodes of pulmonary edema.
Regular exercise also improves heart health, as do other lifestyle habits, including:
It is possible to minimize altitude-induced pulmonary edema by making a gradual ascent, taking medications before traveling, and avoiding excess exertion while progressing to higher altitudes.
Pulmonary edema can be a result of several conditions, including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and sepsis.
In addition to causing symptoms such as cough, wheezing, chest pain, and excessive sweating, pulmonary edema can result in severe breathing difficulties and may be fatal without proper treatment.
For this reason, if a person experiences any symptoms of pulmonary edema, it's important to consult a doctor to determine the cause and the best course of treatment.
Read this article in Spanish.
Sign Of Silent Killer Disease That Could Appear In Your Ankles
Heart disease: Doctor explains how to reduce risk in 2021The heart is one of our vital organs, which is needed to pump blood around the body. Therefore, any issues with the heart can be dangerous and even fatal.
In the UK cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest killers, accounting for around a quarter of deaths every year. This refers to a range of diseases and conditions that affect the heart and circulatory system.
Some symptoms of heart disease are more well known than others. For example, it is common knowledge that it can cause chest pain - also known as angina.
However, other symptoms are less well known and could appear in unlikely places. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), one such sign is swollen ankles.
Professor David Newby, from the BHF Centre of Research Excellence at the University of Edinburgh, said this "shouldn't be ignored".
He said: "This shouldn't be ignored, especially if the ankles get really big, as it can be a marker of heart failure, but it is also very common and has lots of other causes.
"It could just as easily be from tablets you are taking – for example, blood pressure medication can lead to swollen ankles."
If you're getting swollen ankles, he recommended making an appointment with your GP.
Having swollen ankles, or swelling in other areas is also known as oedema.
The Mayo Clinic explains: "Oedema occurs when tiny blood vessels in the body, also known as capillaries, leak fluid.
"The fluid builds up in nearby tissues. The leak leads to swelling."
In the case of heart failure, oedema doesn't necessarily only occur in the ankles.
"Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers to stop pumping blood well," it says.
"As a result, blood can back up in the legs, ankles and feet, causing oedema.
"Congestive heart failure can also cause swelling in the stomach area.
"This condition also can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. Known as pulmonary edema, this can lead to shortness of breath."
However, as mentioned by Prof Newby it might be caused by something much less concerning such as sitting or staying in one position for too long, eating too much salty food, being premenstrual and being pregnant.
It can also be a side effect of certain medicines such as blood pressure medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, steroids and diabetes medication.
But if you're experiencing unexplained oedema it is worth seeing your doctor.
Other symptoms of heart disease include:
Best Drugs To Treat Heart Failure
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