The water in the lung, also known as pulmonary edema, is characterized by the presence of fluid inside the lungs, which prevents gas exchange. Pulmonary edema can happen mainly due to heart problems, but it can also be due to drowning, lung infections, exposure to toxins or smoke and high altitudes. Find out what can cause water in the lung and how to treat it.
The diagnosis is made mainly by means of a chest X-ray associated with the analysis of the symptoms presented by the person, which may appear suddenly or in the long term.
Symptoms of water in the lung
The symptoms of water in the lung depend on the severity and the cause that caused it, and include:
- Shortness of breath and great difficulty in breathing; Cough. which may contain blood; Increased respiratory rate; Noisy breathing; Purplish mucous membranes (eyes, lips); Not being able to lie down, due to increased shortness of breath; Anxiety; Swelling of the legs or feet; Tightness in the chest.
The treatment must be started as soon as possible, and it is conceived through the regularization of breathing, the withdrawal of water in the lung and the cessation of the causative agent. This can be achieved by placing a drain on the lung, using medications and in some cases cardiac surgery, when this need exists. Learn more about lung water treatment.
How to identify
The confirmation of the diagnosis of water in the lung is made when the person, in addition to the characteristic symptoms of the condition, has a blurred spot around the lung on the X-ray examination.
In addition to the X-ray examination and pulmonary and cardiac auscultation, electrocardiogram, chest tomography, measurement of cardiac enzymes, measurement of blood pressure and examination of arterial blood gases can be indicated to assess the cause of the edema. Understand how the blood gas analysis is done.
