Pulmonary Edema

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pulmonary edema is a buildup of fluid in the alveoli (air sacs) of your lungs. Pulmonary edema occurs when increased fluid is pushed into the alveoli faster than it is moved out. Your lungs are organs in your chest that fill with oxygen when you breathe in. Air enters your lungs through your airways (tubes) until it reaches tiny sacs called alveoli. Your alveoli then take the oxygen from the air and send it to your blood. The alveoli also exchange (trade) the oxygen for carbon dioxide (unoxygenated gas). You are then able to breathe the carbon dioxide out of your body.
  
  
• When you have pulmonary edema, the fluid in the alveoli makes it hard for the alveoli to fill with air. This can make it harder for you to breathe and may decrease the oxygen in your blood. If your body cannot get enough oxygen, your tissues and organs may not work as they should. You may have pulmonary edema if you have heart failure or another heart condition, a lung injury, or a blocked airway. You may also get pulmonary edema if you climb to high altitudes (heights) too quickly. You may need blood tests, a chest x-ray, or echocardiogram to diagnose your pulmonary edema and its cause. Treatment includes bed rest, medicines, and breathing assistance, such as oxygen or a ventilator. Treating your pulmonary edema may help decrease the fluid in your alveoli. This may help your lungs work normally, allowing your body to get the oxygen it needs to function properly.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Diuretics: This medicine is given to decrease edema (excess fluid) that collects in a part of your body, such as your legs. Diuretics can also remove excess fluid from around your heart or lungs and decrease your blood pressure. It is often called water pills. You may urinate more often when you take this medicine.
  
  
• Heart medicine: This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• Vasodilators: Vasodilators may improve blood flow by making the blood vessels in your heart and lungs wider. This may decrease the pressure in your blood vessels and improve your symptoms.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Managing your pulmonary edema and preventing it from happening again:

• Climb to high altitudes slowly: Make sure you take your time to allow your body to get used to the new altitude. If you are climbing to high altitudes with no emergency care, ask your caregiver about the signs and symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Ask your caregiver what you should do if you get symptoms of HAPE.
  
  
• Do not smoke or take illegal drugs: If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. Smoking harms your body in many ways. Smoking can worsen your pulmonary edema and cause other lung disease, heart disease, and cancer. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you smoke and are having trouble quitting. Do not take any illegal street drugs, such as cocaine. Street drugs can make your condition and symptoms worse.
  
  
• Eat a healthy diet: You may need to change the way you eat to help control your symptoms. Foods low in salt are best. You should eat a variety of healthy foods from each food group every day. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, and protein (such as chicken, fish, and beans). Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy.
  
  
• Limit or avoid alcohol: You will need to limit the alcohol you drink, or avoid alcohol completely. Drinking too much alcohol can damage your brain, heart, and liver. Drinking too much alcohol can worsen your symptoms and increase your blood pressure. If you have heart failure, alcohol can make it worse. Alcohol is found in beer, wine, whiskey, and other adult drinks.
  
  
• Limit your liquids as directed by your caregiver: Follow your caregiver’s advice about how much liquid you should drink each day. Drinking too much liquid can increase your risk for fluid build up.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy weight: Maintain a healthy weight so your heart does not have to work so hard. If you are overweight (weighing more than caregivers suggest), ask your caregiver about a healthy weight-loss plan. Your caregiver may suggest you weigh yourself at the same time every morning. Weight gain can be a sign of extra fluid in your body. It is best to weigh yourself on the same scale, before eating, and after urinating.
  
  
• Rest often and use special positions while sleeping: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed. You may have trouble breathing when lying down. Sleeping in a position with your upper body raised may help you breathe easier. You can use foam wedges or elevate the head of your bed. There are many devices that you can buy to help raise your upper body while in bed. Use a device that will tilt your whole body, or bend your body at the waist. The device should not bend your body at the upper back or neck.
  
  
• Take your medicines as instructed by your caregiver: It is very important to take the proper medicine at the correct times. Ask your caregiver for a list of your medicines, and when to take them. Ask your caregiver what side effects each medicine may have and what to do if you have side effects. Also ask your caregiver before you take any new medicines or supplements.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are gaining weight for no known reason.
  
  
• You are urinating more than normal.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have new or increased swelling in your legs or feet.
  
  
• You hear new or increased wheezing when you breathe.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You are breathing very fast, sweating, and feel confused.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse.
  
  
• Your heart is jumping or fluttering in your chest.
  
  
• You are urinating very little or not at all.
  
  
• You are coughing up pink, foamy sputum.
  
  
• Your lips and nail beds are very white or blue in color.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Pulmonary Edema (Aftercare Instructions)