How does pulmonary edema develop? Symptoms
This pathology is caused by a liquid transferparts of blood from blood vessels piercing the lungs into the pulmonary alveoli. The reason for this is, mainly, increased pressure in the vessels or is the result of a decrease in the protein level in the blood. The lungs in such cases lose their functional capacity.
Diseases that cause pulmonary edema: symptoms
Increased pressure in the vessels is provokedcardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, mitral valve defects), the formation of a blood clot obstructing the pulmonary artery, or the development of severe pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchial asthma and allergies. Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, or kidneys (uremia), lead to a decrease in the level of protein in the blood, and accordingly, and to pulmonary edema.
Pulmonary edema: symptoms of the development of pathology
Most often, swelling occurs at night (this is due to lying position). But sometimes it happens and just at rest. There is a sharp shortness of breath, which has nothing to do with physical activity.
Consider the main symptoms of the disease.
- The sick person discovers a sharp shortage of air. Due to the fact that it is almost impossible to breathe, it assumes a forced sitting position.
- Breathing becomes more frequent, becomes superficial and noisy. Clanking sounds can be heard from a distance.
- The palpitation increases.
- The skin becomes cyanotic, sweat protrudes, and the veins swell in the neck.
- A strong cough is accompanied by the appearance of pinkish foam and pronounced wheezing.
- The pressure rises.
- Pulse - filiform, weak.
- It is possible to turn off consciousness.
Pulmonary edema: emergency care before the arrival of doctors
The attack develops very quickly, so it is important not to lose time to understand the situation and provide the necessary assistance to the patient, since the risk of death in these cases is very large.
- Immediately call the ambulance team.
- Before the arrival of doctors, help the patient to get up and sit down, having necessarily lowered their legs. This reduces the pressure in the pulmonary vessels.
- Open the windows, providing access to fresh air.
- If possible, remove the mucus from the patient's airways.
- On the extremities, apply tourniquets that reduceblood vessel filling. To make sure that this is done correctly, check the pulse on the artery below the bandage: it should be probed. You can lower the patient's legs into a basin with hot water or wrap them with a cloth soaked in hot water.
- If the arrival of doctors is delayed, give the patient a cheesecloth impregnated with alcohol or vodka, and tell them to breathe through it, this will help reduce the amount of emitted foam.
The actions of the physicians from the arrived brigade "The ambulancehelp "will be aimed at reducing the excitability of the respiratory center (for this, morphine is usually injected), removing the load from the small circle of blood circulation (dropper with nitroglycerin), and lowering blood pressure (strong diuretics) .When forming a persistent foam that can block air through respiratory way, oxygen inhalation with vapors of ethyl alcohol is done.
Pulmonary edema, the symptoms of which we examined, are notarises just like that. It is a sign of a severe course of the underlying disease, against which this pathology develops. Therefore, in order to avoid mortal danger, timely treatment and identification of the reasons that can lead to this, compliance with a salt-free diet, a reduction in the amount of fluid consumed and the exclusion of physical exertion causing shortness of breath. Follow all the recommendations of your doctor and be healthy!
