Pulmonary edema is the medical term for excess fluid in the lungs. This excess fluid is called edema and can occur in other parts of the body as well, most commonly in the ankles, wrists and face. This condition particularly affects middle-aged or elderly men and women.Normally, the lungs are filled with air, which is transported in the blood to all parts, organs, tissues and cells in the body. However, when lungs fill with fluid, it inhibits oxygen intake, which in turn affects other body functions that rely on that oxygen to perform at optimal levels. Pulmonary edema or excess fluid in the lungs is caused by several factors, but heart disease and disorders are most common.Learning identify symptoms of pulmonary edema will prompt you to seek prompt medical care and prevent potential complications such as heart attacks and even death if left untreated.
Instructions
1. Be wary of sensations of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially at night when you're in bed. Often, symptoms of pulmonary edema are experienced in the middle of the night and wake you up. Shortness of breath and sometimes even wheezing, is one of the first signs that something is wrong, and may prompt you to breathe rapidly in order to feel like you are getting enough air.
2. Observe your behavior for signs of anxiousness or restlessness that can't be explained.
3. Look at your face. Are you pale or sweating? These are also signs of respiratory distress. Take a look at your lips and your nail beds. Are they healthy and pink or do they look bluish in color? Blue tinged lips and nails are a sign of oxygen deprivation and should be addressed immediately by a physician.
4. Pay attention to your ability to walk, complete your chores or your work. Another sign of pulmonary edema is increasing fatigue and weakness.
5. Look at your feet. Are your feet and ankles swollen or puffy? This is a definite sign of edema. Call your family health care provider in order to determine a cause and treatment.
Tags: excess fluid, excess fluid lungs, fluid lungs, pulmonary edema, symptoms pulmonary, symptoms pulmonary edema