Pulmonary Edema

Elderly people should prioritize their physical health. If they notice blood while coughing, they should consider visiting the best pulmonologist in Lahore. The symptoms may correlate to severe illness such as pulmonary edema. The specialist will guide the patient regarding the treatment to enhance the quality of life.

Pulmonary Edema and Its Symptoms:

Pulmonary edema is the condition; in which there is an accumulation of liquid in the lung’s tissues. In severe cases, it can cause renal failure. It is common in individuals above 65. Individuals need to seek medical help, or else it can be life-threatening. The common symptoms of pulmonary edema include:

The person feels pain in the chest.
Experience wheezing and coughing up the frothy sputum
The patient suffers from dyspnea, which is associated with difficulty in breathing.
The patient is more likely to suffer from Hemoptysis. It is a condition in which the patient can notice blood while coughing.
The patient has an increased heartbeat.
The patient feels anxious and dizzy most of the time.
The patient experiences extreme sweating all the time.

Known Causes Correlating to Pulmonary Edema

The common causes correlated with pulmonary edema are:

Patients with hypertension are at a higher risk of suffering from pulmonary edema.
Patients with cardiomyopathy and coronary heart disease can suffer from pulmonary edema as a complication.
Individuals suffering from infections and pneumonia can suffer from fluid buildup in the lungs.
Exposure to toxins can compromise the functioning of the lungs.
The patient suffers from pulmonary embolism. Blood clotting in the arteries correlates with pulmonary edema.

Complications Associated with Pulmonary Edema

The health risks associated with pulmonary edema include;

Hypoxia and Cardiac Arrest: Hypoxia refers to low oxygen in the blood, causing shortness of breath and a change in the color of the skin. In severe cases, hypoxia caused by pulmonary edema can lead to cardiac arrest.
Pulmonary Hypertension: Individuals suffering from edema are at a higher risk of suffering from pulmonary hypertension.
Pleural Effusion: In severe cases, pulmonary edema can spread in the pleural spaces. Due to the fluid accumulation in the pleural spaces, the complications increase, compromising the overall health of the patient.

Preventive Measures:

People should maintain a healthy BMI to avoid multiple diseases.
Individuals should eradicate smoking and consumption of other recreational drugs to maintain overall physical health and minimize the chances of suffering from correlated illnesses.
The sugar and salt content should be minimal in the food to reduce the chances of any heart-related problems.
Pneumonia can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs; hence, it is best to get vaccinated and minimize the chances of suffering from pulmonary edema.

Tests for Diagnosing Pulmonary Edema

The tests employed to diagnose pulmonary edema include:

X-ray: The test allows to confirm the presence of fluid in the lungs.
Blood Testing: It helps check the levels of BNP. The high levels of BNP suggest a heart condition. It can lead to pulmonary edema.
Computerized Tomography: CT scans help understand correlating conditions causing a person to suffer from pulmonary edema.
Pulmonary Artery Catheterization: The test helps to check and evaluate the BP in the lungs.
ECG: Electrocardiogram helps in evaluating the heart rhythm. It is essential to check the functioning of the heart to comprehend the cause of pulmonary edema.

Effective Treatment Options for Pulmonary Edema

The treatments options include:

Use of Antibiotics to fight infection
Diuretics are prescribed to reduce fluid in the lungs
Tracheal Incubation for the ventilation.
The procedure suction catheterization allows removing the excessive fluid.
Oxygen Therapy to maintain the levels of oxygen in the blood.

Individuals exhibiting symptoms should consult the Best Pulmonologist in Karachi for diagnosis and guidance regarding the best treatment plan. To avoid complications, patients should visit a specialist when the symptoms become noticeable.