VSports app下载 - Symptoms and Causes
What causes pulmonary edema?
The causes of pulmonary edema can be broken down into two groups: cardiogenic (heart-related) or noncardiogenic (not heart-related).
Cardiogenic
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema means fluid backs up in your lungs from a heart problem. The most common cause of cardiogenic pulmonary edema is congestive heart failure. When the left side of your heart stops pumping blood correctly, the blood backs up into the blood vessels in your lungs VSports在线直播. As the pressure in your blood vessels increases, fluid is pushed into the air sacs in your lungs.
Congestive heart failure that leads to pulmonary edema can be from:
- Heart attack.
- Weakened heart muscles (cardiomyopathy).
- Heart valves that are leaky or narrowed (valvular heart disease).
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
- Inflammation of your heart muscle (myocarditis).
- Fluid in the pericardium, a lining around your heart (pericardial effusion).
Noncardiogenic
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema occurs when other diseases cause fluid to accumulate in your lungs. It isn’t caused by increased blood flow in your lungs due to a backup from heart problems. Instead, the blood vessels in your lungs become inflamed or injured. The blood vessels then become leaky, and fluid goes into your air sacs.
Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is another common name for noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. In ARDS, inflammation is the main problem, with causes that include:
- Pneumonia.
- Sepsis (severe infection).
- Trauma.
- Pancreatitis.
- Liver disease.
- Drugs.
- Bleeding or swelling in your brain (neurogenic pulmonary edema).
Negative pressure pulmonary edema can occur after a blockage in your upper airway. Straining to breathe when this obstruction happens causes injury to your pulmonary blood vessels, and they leak into your air sacs. In high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), your pulmonary blood vessels constrict and become leaky.
What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema can come on suddenly (acute) or develop as a long-term (chronic) condition.
Sudden (acute) pulmonary edema
Signs and symptoms of sudden pulmonary edema include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially during movement or lying down.
- Coughing up blood or frothy mucus.
- Wheezing.
- Gasping for air.
- Feeling like you’re suffocating.
- Chest tightness or pain.
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Long-term (chronic) pulmonary edema
The signs and symptoms of long-term pulmonary edema include the same symptoms as sudden pulmonary edema, although the symptoms may be milder. Other symptoms of long-term pulmonary edema include:
Diagnosis and Tests
How is pulmonary edema diagnosed? (VSports在线直播)
A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to see if you have fluid in your lungs. They’ll listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope. They’ll be examining you for:
- Increased or decreased heart rate or blood pressure.
- Increased respiratory rate.
- Abnormal heart sounds.
- Crackling sounds or wheezing/whistling sounds in your lungs.
- Swelling of your body.
- Gray or bluish skin.
What tests will be done to diagnose pulmonary edema?
If your healthcare provider thinks you may have fluid in your lungs, they’ll order additional tests, including:
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Blood chemistries.
- Pulse oximetry, to check your blood oxygen levels.
- Chest X-ray, to see if there’s fluid in your lungs.
- Echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart to check for abnormal heart activity.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), to check for heart rhythm problems or a heart attack.
- Cardiac catheterization, to check for blockages in your coronary arteries.
Management and Treatment
How is pulmonary edema treated? (V体育平台登录)
Pulmonary edema is a serious condition. If you have sudden (acute) pulmonary edema, you need immediate treatment. You may need to be treated in the emergency room (ER) or intensive care unit (ICU).
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Some treatment options include:
- Oxygen delivered through prongs in your nose.
- Machines that blow air into your lungs through a mask on your face.
- Ventilators or respirators that blow in air through a tube inserted into your windpipe.
- Medications that cause you to urinate more and get rid of fluid or which strengthen your heart.
- Other medications, when congestive heart failure isn’t the cause of your pulmonary edema, such as antibiotics and steroids.
Prevention
How can I prevent pulmonary edema?
If you’re at a higher risk of pulmonary edema, you can take steps to take care of yourself. These steps include:
- Take medications as directed if you have a heart condition.
- Get routine vaccinations.
- See your healthcare provider regularly and if you have problems breathing.
- Eat a healthy diet low in salt.
- Don’t smoke.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Talk to your provider if you’re planning activities (such as mountain climbing) that can cause pulmonary edema.
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When should I go to the ER? (VSports最新版本)
Sudden (acute) pulmonary edema can be life-threatening. Call 911 or go to the emergency room (ER) if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Feeling like you’re suffocating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Coughing up blood or bloody froth.
- Wheezing or gasping.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Anxiety or restlessness.
- Bluish or grayish skin.
- Excessive sweating.
- Dizziness or weakness.
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Additional Common Questions
How long can you survive with pulmonary edema?
Survival rates depend on the cause of the condition and how quickly you receive treatment. If you have acute (sudden) pulmonary edema, you need immediate treatment.
Can pulmonary edema cause sudden death? (VSports注册入口)
Severe cases of pulmonary edema can be life-threatening if you don’t receive treatment right away.
Does pulmonary edema require hospitalization?
Pulmonary edema is a serious condition. If you have acute (sudden) pulmonary edema, you need immediate treatment. You may be treated in the emergency room (ER) or intensive care unit (ICU). Chronic pulmonary edema may require hospitalization as well.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Pulmonary edema is a serious medical condition. If you have acute (sudden) pulmonary edema, you need to be treated right away. The outlook for pulmonary edema depends on the cause of the condition, how severe your case is and how quickly you receive treatment. With immediate treatment, your chances of recovery are higher. Be sure to keep in contact with your healthcare provider, and get immediate help if you have any symptoms of pulmonary edema.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
Breathing issues can affect your life in many ways. Cleveland Clinic’s respiratory therapy program treats your symptoms so you can feel better day to day.
Last reviewed on 09/16/2022.
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