Pulmonary Edema

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is pulmonary edema? Pulmonary (PUL-mo-ner-ee) edema (EDEE-mah) is a build up of fluid in the lungs. The lungs are 2 hollow organs in your chest that stretch like a balloon when you breathe in, filling up with air. Your lungs are made of lobes (sections), blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and alveoli (air ducts).

What causes pulmonary edema? Pulmonary edema may be caused by a weak heart or a direct lung injury. Two kinds of pulmonary edema include the following:

• Cardiogenic (due to heart problems):
  
  
  • Heart failure which results in excess body fluids.
    
    
  • Hypertensive crisis (dangerously high blood pressure).
    
    
  • Severe heart attack.
  
  
• Non-cardiogenic (not due to heart problems):
  
  
  • Aspiration (inhaling) of gastric fluid or water in near-drowning.
    
    
  • Inhaling poisonous gases, such as smoke, phosgene, ozone, and oxides of nitrogen.
    
    
  • Overdoses from certain types of drugs, such as diphenhydramine, cocaine, and heroin.
    
    
  • Going to a higher elevation than you are coming from (more than 10,000 feet).
    
    
  • Severe infection, such as pneumonia.
    
    
  • Trauma (lung injuries or head injuries).
    
    
  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxsis) to certain foods, insect venom, and sometimes medications.

What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema? You may have one or more of the following:

• Anxiety or restlessness.
  
  
• Cough that usually brings up white or pink-tinged frothy sputum.
  
  
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath especially when lying flat.
  
  
• Excessive sweating.
  
  
• Noisy breathing (wheezing and bubbly sounds).
  
  
• Pale skin, or bluish nail beds and lips.

How is pulmonary edema diagnosed? You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Arterial blood gases: This test is also called an ABG test. Your blood is tested for the amount of oxygen, acids, and carbon dioxide.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: A chest x-ray is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers may use it to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. A chest x-ray may also show fluid in or around the lungs, or an enlarged heart.
  
  
• Echocardiogram: This test is also called an echo. It is a type of ultrasound, using sound waves to show pictures of the size and shape of your heart.

How is pulmonary edema treated? It is important to know and treat the cause of your pulmonary edema. If a heart attack has caused the pulmonary edema, it is necessary to treat and stabilize the heart. Go down to a lower altitude if pulmonary edema is caused by a high altitude.

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Diuretic: This medicine is often called water pills. Diuretics help your body get rid of edema (extra fluid) in your legs, lungs, or around your heart. It may also decrease your blood pressure. You may urinate more often when taking diuretics.
    
    
  • Morphine: This medicine helps decrease your pain. It also may help you breathe easier, and reduce the anxiety caused by breathing troubles.
    
    
  • Nitrates: These medicines are used if your pulmonary edema is due to a heart problem.
  
  
• Oxygen: Extra oxygen may be given to help you breathe easier. It may be given using small, short tubes placed in your nose or a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. Intubation (breathing tube placed into the windpipe) and use of a breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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.

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