Pulmonary oedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs that causes difficulty breathing from the pathophysiological point of view.
Causes
The most common cause of pulmonary oedema is heart failure. The progressive decrease in cardiac activity causes the pressure in the veins closest to the lung to rise considerably. As the pressure in these blood vessels increases, fluid infiltrates the lungs’ air spaces or alveoli. In addition, partial flooding of the lung tissue disrupts the normal movement of oxygen through the lungs and causes respiratory distress.
Other causes that produce pulmonary oedema are:
- Myocarditis.
- Arrhythmias.
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Lung damage caused by toxic gas or severe infection.
- Exercising at high altitudes.
- Certain drugs are used regularly.
- Excessive fluid administration.
- Left ventricular failure.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Renal insufficiency.
Symptoms
The main symptom of pulmonary oedema is dyspnea (Shortness of breathing). This can appear when the affected person is exercising or, in the most serious cases, it can also appear at rest. The patient will not bear to lie down ( orthopnea ) on these occasions. Other symptoms derived from pulmonary oedema can be:
- Expectoration of blood or foam with blood.
- Inability to pronounce full long sentences due to shortness of breath.
- Anxiety and restlessness.
- excessive sweating
- Snoring or gurgling sounds when breathing when auscultating the lungs.
- Swelling of legs and abdomen.
- Pale skin.
- Decreased amount of urine.
- Increased heart rate.
- Decreased mental alertness.
prevention
If suffering from any disease that can cause pulmonary oedema or myocardial weakness, always take the prescribed medications into account the instructions on them.
A healthy diet low in fat and salt also considerably reduces the risk of this disease.
The specialist indicates that when it comes to getting dressed, if the disease is very advanced and it is difficult for them, they can include modifications in their routine that will make their day-to-day life easier, such as dressing sitting down, not bending over to put on their shoes, raising their feet and using shoehorn or opt for shoes without laces and with velcro.
Hygiene is another aspect that can cause problems since the bathroom is closed, which causes condensation to increase and, with it, the feeling of suffocation. In these situations, he recommends adapting it to be able to sit down during hygiene time.
types
There are two types:
- Cardiogenic or hemodynamic oedema is the most frequent and is the consequence of heart dysfunction.
- No cardiogenic or lung injury.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is fundamentally based on the physical examination of the patient and a chest X-ray. The doctor performs the checkup by listening to the lungs and heart with the stethoscope. If the condition exists, crackling sounds and rapid breathing will be heard in the lung bases. In the case of the heart, you will notice an increase in heart rate and abnormal heart sounds.
The test that will best determine the disease will be a chest x-ray, which will show the presence of fluid in the lung area and sometimes also an increase in the size of the heart. The diagnosis is completed with a blood and urine analysis and an electrocardiogram that helps to identify whether an underlying heart disease has been responsible for the condition.
Treatments
The treatment of this pathology has three main objectives :
- Decrease venocapillary pressure seeking to reduce pulmonary congestion. This is achieved with diuretic drugs, which help eliminate liquids through the urine, and drugs that dilate the veins to lower the pressure and the amount of blood that reaches the heart.
- Improve pulmonary ventilation by administering oxygen and bronchodilator drugs.
- And treat the disease that has caused the triggering of pulmonary oedema.
Other data
Pulmonary oedema is also known as lung congestion, water in the lung, and heart failure-pulmonary oedema.
Forecast
The prognosis will be more or less favourable depending on the cause that has led to pulmonary oedema. Also, depending on its severity, the evolution may be faster or slower. Without proper treatment, this disease can be fatal.
