EXPLAINER: What you need to know about pulmonary oedema

A doctor holding an X-ray print of the chest cavity/FREEPIX/www.freepik.com

Pulmonary oedema is caused by a build-up of excessive fluid in the lungs, which leads to shortness of breath.

It is mainly caused by an underlying heart condition, Agha Khan University hospital states.

Basically, when the heart is unable to pump normally, the pressure in the blood vessels increases and fluid gets pushed into the lungs.

The function of the lungs gets affected, which leads to shortness of breath. 

Causes of pulmonary oedema

Pulmonary oedema can be caused by severe arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), cardiomyopathy or damage to the heart muscles.

High blood pressure (or hypertension), which can damage the heart muscles, and living at or travelling to high altitudes can also trigger the condition.

Other causes include decreased kidney function or renal failure, certain types of medications, pneumonia, lung damage caused by systemic infection or sepsis, severe seizures and brain haemorrhage.

Additionally, inhaling excessive smoke (like during a fire outbreak), inhaling water (like during a near drowning experience), drug overdose and any type of major injury that causes trauma to the chest wall, can cause pulmonary oedema.

Aga Khan University hospital warns that you may develop pulmonary oedema suddenly, which is known as acute pulmonary oedema.

“This type of sudden onset is a medical emergency and patient must seek assistance immediately as it may prove to be fatal,” the university says.

“Immediate treatment to fix the underlying cause can rectify the problem.”

Pulmonary oedema may also be chronic, but this can be treated with medications and appropriate therapy.​​

Symptoms of pulmonary oedema

The symptoms include shortness of breath or trouble breathing easily, particularly when lying down, a feeling of suffocation, wheezing in the chest, chest pain and palpitations (irregular heart beat).

If one is suffering from pulmonary oedema, they can cough up blood, experience anxiety, excessive sweating, pale skin, swelling in the leg or abdominal (stomach) region, fever, coughing and blue or grey skin tone​​.

When to raise alarm and seek medical intervention

According to Aga Khan University hospital, if you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or blood in your sputum, you may be suffering from pulmonary oedema.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately to figure out the exact cause.

“Your physician can help you avoid pain and unnecessary complications. It is advisable not to drive yourself to the hospital,” cautions the hospital.

Treatment of pulmonary oedema

Pulmonary Oedema often requires immediate treatment.

The first step is generally providing oxygen to the patient through an oxygen mask or a nasal cannula (a plastic tube inserted into the nostrils).

There are also medications to treat the disease leading to pulmonary oedema.

The medications include pills that can decrease the pressure in your heart and lungs, medications to reduce (or elevate, depending on the case) your blood pressure or morphine to reduce shortness of breath and anxiety. ​