Pulmonary edema: causes, symptoms and treatment

Definition

What is pulmonary edema?

Pulmonary edema is a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Normally, your lungs fill with air when you breathe in. However, pulmonary edema instead causes the lungs to fill with fluid.

This condition causes oxygen to be unable to properly absorb and flow into the blood as it should. In addition, the fluid that accumulates in the air sacs makes it difficult to breathe.

Pulmonary edema is usually caused by heart problems, but there are other medical conditions that cause it. Fluid in the lungs can appear suddenly (acutely) or in the long term (chronic).

How common is this condition?

Pulmonary edema is a fairly common condition, especially in older people. That is why, this condition is actually rarely found in younger people.

This condition can be treated by reducing the existing risk factors. Try to consult a doctor for complete information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema?

The symptoms and signs that are usually easy to spot when you have pulmonary edema are difficulty breathing.

This condition is quite serious and must get medical attention as soon as possible. If not treated seriously, it can be fatal.

Emergency conditions are generally encountered in patients with acute pulmonary edema. The symptoms and signs experienced by people with chronic pulmonary edema are generally not too severe.

Therefore, depending on whether you have acute or chronic pulmonary edema, your symptoms will be slightly different.

Generally, the symptoms that usually appear include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Restlessness or fatigue
• Decreased level of consciousness
• Swelling of the legs or abdomen
• Pale skin
• Excessive sweating

1. Symptoms of sudden pulmonary edema (acute)

If fluid in your lungs appears suddenly, this condition generally shows symptoms, such as:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Feeling suffocated or drowning
• Wheezing (wheezing) or shortness of breath
• Restless, tired
• Coughing up with phlegm or bleeding
• Chest pain when pulmonary edema is caused by heart disease
• Rapid, irregular heartbeat (palpitations).

2.Long-term (chronic) pulmonary edema

Slightly different from acute pulmonary edema, you will feel the signs and symptoms when the fluid buildup in the lungs has been going on for a long time, such as:

• Difficulty breathing during activity or even lying down
• Wheezing (wheezing)
• Sleep disturbance due to difficulty breathing
• Weight gain rapidly due to fluid buildup in the body, especially in the legs
• Swelling of the lower part of the body, especially in the legs
• Fatigue

3 . High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)

In some cases, being at high altitude can also cause pulmonary edema. Some of the symptoms that usually appear are:

• Shortness of breath during activity
• When resting, shortness of breath still persists
• Difficulty walking uphill, which then becomes difficult even to walk on flat surfaces
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Coughing up foamy phlegm which is sometimes accompanied by blood
• The heartbeat becomes faster and irregular
• Discomfort in the chest
• Headache

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Pulmonary edema can be a fatal condition. You should contact your emergency medical service provider if you experience symptoms of:

• Shortness of breath, especially if it occurs suddenly
• Difficulty breathing or feeling suffocated (dyspnea)
• Wheezing as you breathe
• Sputum is pink and foamy when you cough
• Difficulty breathing is accompanied by excessive sweating
• Bluish or grayish color to the skin
• Significant drop in blood pressure and cause dizziness, weakness or sweating
• Sudden worsening of symptoms associated with chronic pulmonary edema or elevation.

Cause

What causes pulmonary edema?

Your lungs have many air sacs that absorb oxygen and give off carbon dioxide every time you breathe.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary edema is divided into 2 categories based on the cause, namely cardiogenic and noncardiogenic.

1. Cardiogenic

Edema of the lungs caused by heart problems is called cardiogenic. One of the main causes that is most often encountered is congestive heart failure (CHF) or congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure is an imbalance in the pumping function of the heart, in which the heart cannot maintain blood circulation in the body smoothly. Pulmonary edema can occur as a result of this imbalance due to a leak in the pulmonary capillaries into the interstitium and alveoli of the lungs.

Some of the other diseases that are related to the heart and can cause pulmonary edema are:

• Coronary heart disease.
• Cardiomyopathy.
• Heart valve disorders.
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

2. Noncardiogenic

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema is less common than the cardiogenic type. This condition is caused by damage and inflammation of the lung tissue.

This damage can result in the lung tissue to swell and a buildup of fluid in the alveoli of the lung. This can reduce the oxygen level that is scattered in the bloodstream.

Some of the diseases or health conditions that affect noncardiogenic edema are:

• Kidney failure: If the kidneys fail to function, it's possible that fluid and waste products that can't be processed by the kidneys will build up in the lungs.

• Exposure to toxic substances: Inhaling air and hazardous substances such as ammonia, chlorine gas, and carbon monoxide has the potential to cause damage to lung tissue.

• At an altitude: In normal lungs, the alveoli bind oxygen and release carbon dioxide. When you are at high altitude, the blood vessels in your lungs will constrict and put pressure on your lungs. This can result in the leakage of fluid from the vessels into the lungs.

• Treatment side effects: Pulmonary edema can occur due to side effects or complications from chemotherapy treatment or an overdose of aspirin.

• Nervous system conditions: One type of pulmonary edema called neurogenic occurs due to problems in the nervous system, such as an accident, head injury, or brain surgery.

• Viral infection: The buildup of fluid in the lungs can also be caused by viral infections, such as hantavirus and dengue virus.

• Ever nearly drowned: Almost drowning causes a lot of fluid to enter the body, especially the lungs.

• Pulmonary embolism: Pulmonary embolism is a condition in which blood that clots can travel from the vessels from the legs to the lungs. This condition can result in a buildup of fluid in the lungs.

• Acute respiratory failure syndrome (ARDS): This disease occurs due to inflammation of the white blood cells, so that fluid will accumulate in the lungs. Some of the things that cause ARDS are severe injury (trauma), sepsis infection, pneumonia, and heavy bleeding.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for pulmonary edema?

Pulmonary edema is a condition that can affect people of all ages, although it generally occurs in people who are older. In addition, there are several things that make you more at risk of developing pulmonary edema, namely:

1. Age

Elderly people will be more susceptible to this condition than those who are relatively younger.

2. History of heart disease

If you have a heart problem or have a medical condition as mentioned above, you are likely to experience fluid buildup in your lungs.

3. History of lung disease

People with lung problems may also develop pulmonary edema.

4. Smoking

If you are an active smoker, chances are the toxic substances in cigarette smoke can damage the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries. This condition can cause fluid to leak into the lungs.

Diagnosis

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

The doctor will first ask you what your symptoms are, your and your family's medical history, and your usual lifestyle. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination to see if there are any of the following signs:

• Heart rate increases
• Breathing shorter and faster
• A sound creaking inside the lungs
• Another strange sound from the heart

If your doctor suspects a buildup of fluid in your lungs, your doctor will perform additional tests to determine if you have pulmonary edema.

Here are some examples of tests that doctors commonly run:

1. X-ray test

A chest X-ray or X-ray can be the first step in a series of tests that your doctor will perform. This test is useful for seeing the presence of fluid in the lungs.

2. Blood test

This test aims to find out if there are health problems that could be the cause of pulmonary edema. The doctor may do a complete blood count to see the levels of blood cells and diseases that may be in the body. The doctor will also usually check the oxygen and carbon monoxide levels in the blood

In addition, your blood may also be checked for how much brain natriuretic peptide or BNP. This test can indicate whether pulmonary edema is caused by the heart, one of which is heart failure.

3. Pulse oximetry test

In this test, a sensor will be placed on your finger or ear to determine how much oxygen is in your blood.

4.Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An electrocardiogram test can show results related to your heart problems. This test measures the rate of your heartbeat, and also finds out how well blood is circulating to and from your heart.

5. Echocardiogram

This test with sound waves aims to determine conditions and problems with your heart, such as a malfunctioning valve, the presence of fluid around the heart, and heart damage.

Similar to an EKG test, this test can also monitor whether blood circulation to the heart is normal or not.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat pulmonary edema?

Pulmonary edema that occurs suddenly (acute) usually requires immediate treatment in the hospital. You may need to be admitted to the ICU to remove excess fluid from your lungs and to help your heart work more effectively.

Another treatment is by giving a breath aid in the form of oxygen which is given through a face mask or a thin plastic tube, or by the respiratory tract to help you breathe smoothly.

The treatment and treatment of this condition varies, depending on what are the main causes behind its appearance.

Here are some types of treatment that are often recommended by doctors:

1. Diuretic

Reducing drugs preload heart, such as diuretics can be used to prevent fluid from getting into the heart and lungs. Doctors usually also give nitroglycerin, nifedipine, and furosemide to treat this condition.

2. Morphine

This type of narcotic can be used to relieve symptoms of shortness of breath and restlessness. However, its use is still being debated by experts.

3. Nitroprusside

Reducing drugs afterload like nitroprusside can help dilate blood vessels and lighten the workload of the heart.

4. Medicines for the heart

If you have blood pressure problems after developing pulmonary edema, your doctor will prescribe medications that can lower blood pressure and relax blood vessels.

If you experience fluid buildup in your lungs due to altitude, the first step is to find an oxygen cylinder or go to a lower area to get more oxygen. Use medications such as acetazolamide or nifedipine to relieve symptoms of edema.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat pulmonary edema?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat pulmonary edema:

• Control the causative condition by taking drugs given by the doctor
• Quitting smoking and staying away from cigarettes is one of the most important ways to maintain lung health
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise
• Have a healthy diet with
• Get regular exercise
• Lose excess weight.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.