Disease Insights: pulmonary-edema
Welcome to the ultimate guide on pulmonary edema. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for pulmonary edema
A condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
Symptoms of pulmonary edema
chest pain, cough, fatigue, rapid breathing, shortness of breath
Precautions for pulmonary edema
Use prescribed diuretics to reduce f, Monitor oxygen levels, Avoid excessive salt intake, Engage in respiratory therapy as
Questions Covered:
- what is pulmonary edema?
- causes of pulmonary edema?
- What are the usual symptoms of pulmonary edema?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has pulmonary edema, diagnosis?
- How do doctors usually treat pulmonary edema?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with pulmonary edema?
- What are the ways to prevent pulmonary edema?
Answers:
Question: what is pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema is a serious condition that occurs when the lungs fill with fluid. This prevents the body from gaining the oxygen it needs. It is typically caused by another condition, such as heart failure or altitude sickness.
Pulmonary edema is a condition in which the lungs fill with fluid. It's also known as lung congestion, lung water, and pulmonary congestion. When pulmonary edema occurs, the body struggles to get enough oxygen, and you may experience shortness of breath or wheezing.
Pulmonary edema can range in severity. Some people may need critical care. Often, treatment involves treating pulmonary edema along with the related underlying condition.
Timely treatment can improve possible outcomes.
Question: causes of pulmonary edema?
Several possible health conditions and external factors can cause pulmonary edema.
Congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common cause
of pulmonary edema.
Heart failure happens when the heart can no longer pump blood properly throughout the body. This creates a backup of pressure in the small blood vessels in the lungs, which causes the vessels to leak fluid.
Typically, the lungs will take oxygen from the air you breathe and put it into the bloodstream. But when fluid fills your lungs, they cannot put oxygen into the bloodstream. This deprives the rest of the body of oxygen.
Other medical conditions
Other less common medical conditions that can cause pulmonary edema include:
heart attack, or other heart diseases
leaking, narrowed, or damaged heart valves
cardiomyopathy
cardiac arrhythmias
sudden high blood pressure
pneumonia
kidney failure
lung damage caused by severe infection
severe sepsis of the blood, or blood poisoning caused by infection
External factors
Some external factors can also put pressure on the heart and lungs and cause pulmonary edema. These include:
high altitude exposure
drug misuse or overdose
lung damage caused by inhalation of toxins
severe trauma
major injury
near drowning
Question: What are the usual symptoms of pulmonary edema?
In cases of pulmonary edema, your body cannot gain oxygen effectively. This is due to the increasing fluid in the lungs preventing oxygen from moving into the bloodstream. Symptoms may continue to worsen until you get treatment.
Symptoms depend on the type of pulmonary edema.
Long-term pulmonary edema
The symptoms of long-term pulmonary edema include:
shortness of breath when physically active
difficulty breathing when lying down
wheezing
waking up at night with a breathless feeling that goes away when you sit up
rapid weight gain, especially in the legs
edema, or swelling in the lower part of the body
fatigue
High-altitude pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema due to altitude sickness, or not getting enough oxygen in the air, will have symptoms that include:
headaches
irregular, rapid heart rate
shortness of breath after exertion and during rest
coughing
fever
difficulty walking uphill and on flat surfaces
You may need emergency assistance if these symptoms start to get worse. Call 911 or your local emergency services or have someone drive to you the hospital. If you may have pulmonary edema, you should not drive yourself to the hospital.
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has pulmonary edema, diagnosis?
If a doctor suspects you may have pulmonary edema, they may look for fluid in your lungs or symptoms caused by it. They may perform a basic physical examination and listen to your lungs with a stethoscope, looking for:
an increased heart rate
rapid breathing
a crackling sound from your lungs
any abnormal heart sounds
A doctor may also look for some signs on your body. These may include:
fluid buildup around your neck
swelling in your legs and abdomen
pale or blue tones in your skin
cold, clammy skin
The doctor may discuss your symptoms and ask about your medical history. They may order additional tests if they believe you have fluid in your lungs.
Examples of tests used in diagnosing pulmonary edema include:
complete blood count
echocardiogram, or an ultrasound, to check for abnormal heart activity
chest X-ray to see fluid
blood tests to check oxygen levels
electrocardiogram (ECG) to look for heart rhythm problems or signs of a heart attack
Question: How do doctors usually treat pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema is a serious condition that requires quick treatment. Treatment for pulmonary edema may include
:
Oxygen
Oxygen may be the first line of treatment for this condition, depending on the severity. A healthcare team may prop you up and deliver 100 percent oxygen through an oxygen mask, nasal cannula, or positive pressure mask.
Diuretics
In less severe cases, it may be treated with diuretics, or water pills. You may not have to stay in the hospital. This may be the case if you have congestive heart failure.
Treatment of the underlying condition
A doctor will also diagnose the cause of pulmonary edema and prescribe the appropriate treatment for the underlying cause.
Depending on your condition and the cause of your pulmonary edema, the doctor may also prescribe:
Preload reducers: These help decrease pressure from the fluid going into your heart and lungs. Diuretics also help reduce this pressure by making you urinate, which eliminates fluid.
Afterload reducers: These medications dilate your blood vessels and take pressure off your heart.
Heart medications: These will control your pulse, reduce high blood pressure, and relieve pressure in arteries and veins.
Morphine: This narcotic is used to relieve anxiety and shortness of breath. But fewer doctors today use morphine due to its risks.
Intensive or critical care
In severe cases, people with pulmonary edema may need intensive or critical care.
In other cases of pulmonary edema, you may need treatment to help you breathe. A machine will deliver oxygen under pressure to help get more air into your lungs. Sometimes this can be done with a mask or cannula, also called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Your doctor may need to insert an endotracheal tube, or breathing tube, down your throat and use mechanical ventilation.
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with pulmonary edema?
People with heart problems or heart failure are the most at risk for pulmonary edema. Other factors that may put a person at risk include:
history of pulmonary edema
history of lung disease, such as tuberculosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
vascular (blood) disorders
Question: What are the ways to prevent pulmonary edema?
There is no way to fully prevent pulmonary edema. Those at high risk should seek immediate attention if they develop symptoms.
The best way to try and prevent pulmonary edema is by taking good care of your health:
Get a pneumonia vaccine
.
Get the flu vaccine, especially if you have heart problems or are an older adult.
Remain on diuretics after an episode of pulmonary edema to prevent a reoccurrence.
You can also decrease your risk for heart failure, the most common cause of pulmonary edema with the following steps:
Visit a doctor regularly.
Avoid smoking or quit smoking if you smoke.
Avoid illegal drugs.
Get regular exercise.
Eat nutritious foods.
Maintain your weight.
Useful Articles on pulmonary edema
Additional Information and Resources:
Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about pulmonary edema is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.