Health Encyclopedia

Pulmonary edema

Definition

Pulmonary edema is an abnormal build up of fluid in the lungs, which leads to swelling.

Alternative Names

Lung/pulmonary congestion; Lung water

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pulmonary edema is usually caused by heart failure. As the heart fails, pressure in the vein going through the lungs starts to rise. As the pressure increases, fluid is pushed into the air spaces (alveoli). This fluid interrupts normal oxygen movement through the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.

Pulmonary edema may be caused by damage directly to the lung, such as that caused by poisonous gas or severe infection. Lung damage and a build up of body fluid is also seen in kidney failure.

Pulmonary edema may also be a complication of a heart attack, leaking or narrowed heart valves (mitral or aortic valves), or any disease of the heart that either results in weakening or stiffening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).

Symptoms

Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Feeling of "air hunger" or "drowning"
Grunting or gurgling sounds with breathing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath with lying down -- you may need to sleep with your head propped up or use extra pillows
Cough
Anxiety
Restlessness
Excessive sweating
Pale skin

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Nasal flaring
Coughing up blood
Inability to speak
Decrease in level of awareness

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs and heart. You may have:

Rapid breathing
Increased heart rate
Crackles in the lungs or abnormal heart sounds
Pale or blue skin color

Possible tests include:

Blood oxygen levels -- low in patients with pulmonary edema
Chest x-ray -- may reveal fluid in or around the lung space or an enlarged heart
Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) -- may show a weak heart muscle, leaky or narrow heart valves, or fluid surrounding the heart

Treatment

Oxygen is given through a face mask or tiny plastic tubes (prongs) placed in the nose. A breathing tube may be placed into the windpipe (trachea). A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed.

The cause of the edema should be rapidly identified and treated. For example, if a heart attack has caused the condition, the heart must be treated and stabilized.

Diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) may be given to help excess water pass through the urine. Medications to strengthen the heart muscle or to relieve the pressure on the heart may also be given.

Expectations (prognosis)

Although pulmonary edema can be a life-threatening condition, it can be treated. How well a patient does depends on what is causing the edema.

Complications

Some patients may need to use a breathing machine for a long time.

Calling your health care provider

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have breathing problems.

Prevention

If you have a disease that can lead to pulmonary edema, you should be sure to take all medicines as instructed. Following a healthy diet, one usually low in salt, can significantly decrease your risk of this condition.

Review Date:7/17/2006
Reviewed By:Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.