Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, often caused by heart problems or lung trauma. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing up blood or mucus, sweating, and anxiety. Emergency medical help is necessary, and treatment includes oxygen and medication. High altitude pulmonary edema can occur in climbers and may require lifesaving measures.
Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. It can be caused by many different factors and is potentially dangerous if not treated quickly. Despite the dangers it poses, such as respiratory failure and subsequent death, the prognosis is generally good when treatment is started early. Most causes of this disorder are related to some form of heart problem, which makes it impossible for fluids to be removed through normal blood circulation, or are the result of lung trauma. The exact treatment for each case depends on its cause and will also focus on eliminating the underlying cause.
Difficulty breathing is one of the most common symptoms of pulmonary edema. This symptom can manifest itself in various ways. Some feel it as a sudden and complete inability to breathe in the middle of the night, and others feel short of breath every time they lie down. Still others experience it constantly, accompanied by a persistent cough that can produce blood or mucus that is pink from the presence of red blood cells. Excessive sweating and anxiety are also often experienced by those who suffer from it.
It usually goes without saying that emergency medical help is needed for this condition when it occurs. If treatment is not available or not requested, the body goes into a state of hypoxia. Put simply, this means that the body can’t get enough oxygen and can start shutting down its major systems. When this occurs, coma can quickly follow.
The first stages of treatment for this condition include giving oxygen and sometimes medication as well. One or more medications may be used, including opioids to relieve shortness of breath and aspirin to thin the blood, making it easier for blood to deliver oxygen through small vessels. Blood pressure medications may also be given, if high or low blood pressure was a contributing factor.
Normally, heart conditions are at the root of this condition except in cases such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). This occurs when a climber ascends relatively quickly to a high altitude. Oxygen is usually the best spot treatment, but lifesaving may be required in severe cases. In remote areas where immediate relief is not an option, some techniques have been developed to treat HAPE. These include placing the affected person inside an airtight hyperbaric bag, which is pressurized to simulate a lower altitude.
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