Pulmonary edema is a dangerous and sometimes fatal condition, but with quick treatment, your outlook can be improved tremendously. Find out everything you need to know in our latest blog:

Pulmonary Edema: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Pulmonary edema is a dangerous and sometimes fatal condition, but with quick treatment, your outlook can be improved tremendously. Knowing the symptoms, causes and treatment options is important so you can look out for yourself and your loved ones. Continue reading to learn more!

What Is Pulmonary Edema?

Individuals with pulmonary edema struggle to get enough oxygen because their lungs start to fill with fluid. The small air sacs in your lungs, called alveoli, are normally supposed to fill up with air as you breathe. Individuals with pulmonary edema have problems breathing because the alveoli are flooded.

How Is It Caused?

Pulmonary edema is caused by various medical conditions along with external factors that can put extra pressure on the heart and lungs. The following are common examples of medical conditions that can cause pulmonary edema:

  • Congestive heart failure

  • Heart attack

  • Lung damage

  • Heart valve issues

  • Pneumonia

The following are some external factors that put pressure on your vital organs and cause pulmonary edema:

  • Severe trauma

  • Inhalation of toxins

  • Near drowning

  • High altitude

What are the Symptoms?

When your body struggles to get proper oxygen, your symptoms may continue to worsen until treatment is started. Look out for these symptoms:

  • Wheezing

  • Shortness of breath

  • Swelling in the legs and feet

  • Breathlessness when laying down

  • Fatigue

How Is It Treated?

When it comes to treatment, the quicker it’s started the better. Common treatment options for pulmonary edema include:

  • Non-invasive ventilation: This is always the first line of treatment for those with pulmonary edema as oxygen is quickly delivered to you via a mask.

  • Heart medications: You may be prescribed medicine to relieve the pressure in your arteries and control your pulse.

  • Reducers: Preload and afterload reducers are used to decrease the pressure on your heart and lungs.

  • Morphine: To relieve shortness of breath, this pain medicine is sometimes, but not very often, used in cases of pulmonary edema.

It’s important that you contact your doctor if any of these symptoms pertain to you, as pulmonary edema is a serious condition that needs to be treated quickly. At Trace Medical, we provide ventilators and other respiratory equipment to make your treatment or the treatment of your patients a pleasant experience. Contact us to learn more!

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