Pulmonary Edema: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Dr.Akshay Budhraja, 0 mins read

Pulmonary Edema: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment:
Pulmonary edema is a medical condition characterised by the accumulation of too much fluid in the lungs. This excess fluid can make it difficult to breathe. Thus, making it difficult for the body to get the oxygen it needs. It can be a serious medical emergency if not treated promptly.

Pulmonary edema can be acute (occur suddenly) or chronic (long-term). The severity of the symptoms can vary from person to person.

Symptoms of acute pulmonary edema:

• Shortness of breath, especially while lying down
• Coughing up blood or frothy mucus
• Wheezing
• Gasping of air
• Rapid heart rate
• Chest pain or tightness

Symptoms of chronic pulmonary edema:
The symptoms are similar to acute ones but maybe milder:

• Shortness of breath while lying down
• Feeling breathlessness that awakens you
• Weakness
• Swelling in legs

If the problem is due to high altitude sickness, the symptoms may include:

• Coughing
• Headache
• Shortness of breath after exertion and during rest
• Irregular, rapid heart rate
• Fever
• Difficulty walking on flat surfaces or uphill

Causes:
The cause can be divided into two main categories:

• Cardiogenic (related to heart problems): Includes heart failure, heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms, etc.
• Non-cardiogenic (related to other medical conditions): Such as pneumonia, liver disease, kidney failure, sudden high blood pressure, severe infection, trauma, high altitude exposure, pancreatitis, bleeding/swelling in the brain and certain medications, to name a few.

Treatment:
The treatment of pulmonary edema is based on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Your overall health condition may also influence the treatment option. Often, treatment involves treating the pulmonary edema along with the underlying medical condition.

In the case of cardiogenic pulmonary edema, you may be given medications to improve heart function. These medications may include diuretics and ACE inhibitors.

For non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, the doctor may suggest treatment for the underlying condition.

In severe cases, you may need additional treatments. This may include oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation to help support breathing.

Pulmonary edema is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, don’t ignore them and visit a nearby healthcare provider.