Introduction to fluid in lungs
When a person has fluid in their lungs it is a condition that needs to be taken very seriously. This is actually one of the first symptoms of having lung cancer, but it can also be a symptom of many other health problems, and most of them are related to the heart.
When fluid accumulates in the lungs, it can lead to an impaired exchange of gas and complete respiratory failure, which might cause a person to be hooked up to artificial breathing machines in the hospital.
The condition is usually caused by a failure of the heart to remove fluid from the lungs or by a direct injury that was suffered by the lungs.
In cases of stage four lung cancer, there will be fluid in the lungs as well, and it is usually a normal occurrence after heart surgery.
As with most health conditions, the treatment will depend on the cause of the respiratory problem.
Causes
There are many disorders that can lead to fluid accumulating in the lungs.
There is a common connection between this problem and heart issues.
When there are heart disorders, there will be pressure building up in the veins, which will result in excess fluid leaks into the lungs.
Sometimes, if a person who already has a heart condition or kidney disease is consuming too many liquids, there can be leaks that will lead to fluid accumulating in the lungs.
Lung infections such as pneumonia are another common cause.
Sometimes, irritation of the pancreas or an infection or damage to the pancreas can also lead to pressure on the lungs, which will cause them to fill up with unwanted fluids.
A drug overdose from hard drugs such as heroin or cocaine, or medical drugs like Aspirin, can also cause fluid in the lungs.
There are other conditions that can lead to this situation, such as shock, drowning or high altitude sickness.
Sometimes a person can get fluids in the lungs by inhaling stomach contents while vomiting, which usually happens when someone vomits while sleeping on their backs, and has led to death in many documented cases.SymptomsOne of the most common symptoms is when a person experiences difficulty breathing without doing any type of strenuous activity. People who have fluid in their lungs will also have trouble sleeping on a fat bed and might have to use two or more pillows to elevate themselves in order to breath properly.
Other symptoms include a wheezing sound while breathing and a wet gurgling sound that comes from the chest.
People might also feel like they are suffocating or drowning when their lungs are filled with fluid.
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000140.htm
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000086.htm
- Photo courtesy of University of Liverpool Faculty of Health & Life Sciences by Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/liverpoolhls/10826112473/
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