Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary Edema Causes
Heart failure often causes Pulmonary edema. Pressure in the vein going through the lungs starts to rise as the heart fails. The fluid that is pushed into the air sacs interrupts normal oxygen movement through the lungs, which results in shortness of breath. The condition may also be caused by direct damage to the lungs, such as severe infection or inhalation of poisonous gas. It can also be a complication of heart attack, leaking or narrowed heart valves, or any disease of the heart that results in weakening or stiffening of the heart muscle.
Pulmonary Edema Definition
Pulmonary edema is the abnormal build up of fluid in the lungs or increased blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs that forces fluids into the airs sacs.
Pulmonary Edema Diagnosis
Health care providers usually perform a physical exam, use a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs, and may hear rapid breathing, increased heart rate, crackles in the lungs or abnormal heart sounds, and pale or blue skin. Other possible tests include blood oxygen levels, chest x-ray, and ultrasound of the heart or echocardiogram.
Pulmonary Edema Symptoms and Signs
The symptoms of pulmonary edema may appear suddenly or develop in weeks or months depending on the cause. Sudden signs and symptoms include extreme shortness of breath, a feeling of suffocating or drowning, wheezing or gasping for breath, anxiety, restlessness, and a sense of apprehension, a cough that produces frothy sputum and may be tinged with blood, excessive sweating, pale skin, and chest pain if it the edema is cause by coronary artery disease. Symptoms that gradually develop include difficulty in breathing when lying flat, awakening at night with a breathless feeling, having more shortness of breath than normal when physically active, and significant weight gain when the edema develops because of congestive heart failure.
Pulmonary Edema Treatment
Face mask or tiny plastic tubes are used when providing oxygen to a patient. Breathing tubes may also be placed in the windpipe or trachea. In some cases, a breathing machine called ventilator may be needed. It is important to have the cause of edema identified and treated. The heart must be treated and stabilized if a heart attack caused the condition. Furomeside (Lasix), a diuretic, may be administered to aid in making the excess water pass through the urine. Other medications such as those that can strengthen the heart or relieve pressure may also be given.