Excess fluid in the lungs leads to the condition known as pulmonary edema, which makes breathing difficult because the fluid accumulates in the lungs’ numerous air sacs.
Pulmonary edema is typically brought on by heart issues, but there are other conditions where fluid can build up in the lungs, such as pneumonia, exposure to certain toxins and medications, trauma to the chest wall, or exercise or travel at high altitudes.
Treatment for pulmonary edema varies depending on the cause but typically includes supplemental oxygen and medications. Treatment for pulmonary edema that develops suddenly (acute pulmonary edema) is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.
SYMPTOMS OF PULMONARY EDEMA
Depending on the type of pulmonary edema, pulmonary edema signs and symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly.
Sudden (acute) pulmonary edema signs and symptoms
- extreme shortness of breath (dyspnea), which gets worse when moving around or when lying down
- a drowning or suffocating sensation that gets worse when lying down
- a cough that causes blood-tinged, foamy sputum to come out
- breathing heavily or wheezing
- Cold, clammy skin
- fear, trepidation, or feelings of anxiety
- Bluish ips
- palpitations, an erratic, swift heartbeat
Long-term (chronic) pulmonary edema signs and symptoms
- breathing problems during exercise or when lying flat
- A cough or feeling of being out of breath that can be relieved by sitting up when you wake up at night
- When exercising, one experiences greater than usual breathlessness
- Wheezing
- Rapid weight gain
- Our lower extremities are swollen
- Fatigue
- New or worsening cough
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) signs and symptoms
Adults and children who travel to or engage in physical activity at high altitudes are at risk for developing HAPE, which presents with symptoms that are similar to those of acute pulmonary edema, such as:
- The initial symptom could be a headache.
- Breathing problems during exercise that get worse and eventually manifest as breathing problems at rest
- reduced capacity for exercise compared to before
- Dry cough, at first
- Afterwards, a cough that discharges pink, foamy sputum
- tachycardia, or an extremely quick heartbeat
- Weakness
- Chest pain
- Low-grade fever
The night is when high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) signs and symptoms usually get worse.
CAUSES OF PULMONARY EDEMA
Depending on where the issue began, there are two different types of pulmonary edema, each with a different set of causes.
- The most common reason for the fluid to accumulate in the lungs is a heart condition, and this condition is known as cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
- Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema is the term used when referring to pulmonary edema that is not caused by the heart.
- An issue with the heart and an unrelated issue can occasionally both contribute to pulmonary edema.
The possibility of pulmonary edema can be better understood by comprehending the connection between our hearts and lungs.
The alveoli, which are tiny, elastic air sacs found in the lungs, are responsible for the normal exchange of gases during breathing, which involves the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.
However, occasionally fluid may fill the alveoli rather than air, which prevents the bloodstream from absorbing oxygen.
Heart-related (cardiogenic) pulmonary edema
The heart’s increased pressures are what lead to cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
It is typically caused by heart failure because the increased pressure in the heart causes fluid to push through the blood vessel walls and into the air sacs when a sick or overworked left ventricle is unable to pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs.
The following medical conditions can result in pulmonary edema and heart failure:
- A blood clot can sometimes form in one of these narrowed arteries, blocking blood flow and damaging part of our heart muscle, resulting in a heart attack. A damaged heart muscle can no longer pump as well as it should. Coronary artery disease. Over time, the arteries that supply blood to our heart muscle can become narrow from fatty deposits (plaques). This slow narrowing of the coronary arteries can make the left ventricle weak.
- Cardiomyopathy-When the left ventricle cannot keep up with the demands that are placed on it, fluid backs up into our lungs. Cardiomyopathy is the medical term for damage to the heart muscle. People who have it must pump more forcefully, which increases pressures. The heart may be unable to react to situations that demand it to work harder, such as exercise, infection, or an increase in blood pressure.
- The heart has to work harder, pressures rise, and blood flow into the heart is affected. If a valve leak develops suddenly, one may experience sudden and severe pulmonary edema. **Heart valve problems** **Aortic or mitral heart valve narrowing (stenosis) or a valve that leaks or does not close properly affect blood flow into the heart.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure): Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension can cause the heart to enlarge.
- Pulmonary edema can also be brought on by other heart conditions, including myocarditis, congenital heart defects, and arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats.
- Kidney disease-Pulmonary edema can be brought on by fluid retention brought on by kidney disease, high blood pressure brought on by stenosis of the kidney arteries, or both.
- Chronic health conditions.Heart failure and pulmonary edema may also be brought on by thyroid disease and an accumulation of protein (amyloidosis) or iron (hemochromatosis).
Non-heart-related (noncardiogenic) pulmonary edema
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema is defined as pulmonary edema that does not result from elevated heart pressures.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema can be brought on by:
- A variety of conditions, such as severe injury (trauma), widespread infection (sepsis), pneumonia, and severe bleeding, can result in ARDS, a serious disorder that causes our lungs to suddenly fill with fluid and inflammatory white blood cells.
- Adverse drug reaction or drug overdose-Aspirin, as well as illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine, are just a few of the substances that have been known to cause pulmonary edema.
- Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)-A person may experience pulmonary edema if a blood clot passes from their leg blood vessels to their lungs.
- When one vomits, aspirating causes some of the stomach contents to enter the lungs and cause intense irritation of the small airways and alveoli, which leads to fluid buildup.
- High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which can occur with no elevation change in people who live at high altitudes, has been observed in mountain climbers, skiers, hikers, and other people who travel to high elevations, usually above 8,000 feet (about 2,400 meters).
- Near drowning-A buildup of fluid in the lungs brought on by water inhalation can be treated right away to reverse the condition.
- Negative pressure pulmonary edema-With treatment, most patients with this type of pulmonary edema recover in about 24 hours. Pulmonary edema can occur when an obstruction in the upper airway results in negative pressure in the lungs from vigorous attempts to breathe despite the obstruction.
- Neurogenic pulmonary edema, a type of pulmonary edema that develops after head trauma, seizures, or brain surgery, is a condition or procedure that affects the nervous system.
- Smoke inhalation: Chemicals in fire smoke erode the lining that separates your air sacs from your capillaries, allowing fluid to enter your lungs.
- Transfusion-related lung injury-Pulmonary edema may result from blood transfusions overfilling the left ventricle with fluid.
- Viral infections-Viral infections like the hantavirus and dengue virus can result in pulmonary edema.
RISK FACTORS
The likelihood of developing pulmonary edema is increased by heart failure and other heart conditions that elevate heart pressure.
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Alcohol use
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Heart valve disease
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
Risk factors include drug use, smoking, blood clots, viral infections, near drowning, lung damage from near drowning, and some nervous system disorders.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which can strike those who do not first become acclimated to the elevation (which can take from a few days to about a week), is more common in people who travel to high-altitude locations above 8,000 feet (about 2,400 meters).
Children who already have structural heart defects and pulmonary hypertension may be more susceptible to HAPE.
COMPLICATIONS OF PULMONARY EDEMA
Depending on the root cause, there may be complications.
Pressures in the heart and lungs eventually increase as the heart weakens and starts to fail, and pulmonary edema progresses. Generally speaking, pulmonary edema can cause pulmonary hypertension, which can lead to an increase in pulmonary artery pressure.
Complications can include:
- Breathing difficulty
- the abdomen, feet, and legs all experience swelling
- fluid accumulation (pleural effusion) in the membranes enclosing your lungs
- the liver is clogged and swollen.
Acute pulmonary edema requires immediate medical attention to prevent death.
PREVENTION OF PULMONARY EDEMA
By managing existing heart or lung diseases and leading a healthy lifestyle, we may be able to prevent pulmonary edema.
- Consume a diet high in whole grains, dairy products with low or no fat, fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins of all kinds.
- Manage body weight.
- Get regular exercise.
- Do not smoke.
- Limit salt and alcohol.
- Manage stress.
Preventing high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)
The majority of experts recommend increasing elevation no more than 1,000 to 1,200 feet (about 300 to 360 meters) per day once you reach 8,200 feet (about 2,500 meters), although recommendations vary.
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR PULMONARY EDEMA
The selection of a remedy is based on the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using a holistic approach, which is one of the most well-liked holistic medical systems. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the signs and symptoms from which the patient is suffering.
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