{"id":6295,"date":"2019-05-02T03:32:57","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T03:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6295"},"modified":"2021-04-01T20:54:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T20:54:55","slug":"14-symptoms-of-pulmonary-edema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-symptoms-of-pulmonary-edema\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Pulmonary Edema"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When fluid is trapped under the skin inside of the tissue it is called edema. One sure sign of edema is swelling. However, there are many other symptoms of edema as well. These symptoms depend on where the inflammation is located in the body. It is important to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the edema. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is common to experience swelling from excessive fluid build up in your arms, hands, feet, ankles, and legs, it may also occur in the tongue or throat because of an allergy. A mosquito bite can cause edema, but this minor ailment will go away on its own and will not cause other symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bee sting may cause an allergic reaction and can cause a number of different symptoms of edema as well as treatment options. It is important to know the different types of edema and be aware of some of the more serious symptoms of pulmonary edema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Skin that is Swollen, Puffy, and Stretched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have noticed that there is a swelling within the tissue under the skin, you are suffering from edema. Most of the time edema <\/a>will occur in the arms and the legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The swelling or puffiness can be the result of many different things. It can be caused by an injury to an area or it may stem from an allergic reaction to something. Another symptom that is associated with edema is skin that appears stretched or shiny. This skin symptom may also make a person feel like their skin is extremely tight in certain areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing any type of swelling in your hands, feet, arms, or legs it is important to see your doctor find out what the underlying cause for this may be. Swelling may be caused by something minor, but it could be the sign of something serious and proper treatment for it is necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Pitting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that you have edema is if you notice that you can push on the skin <\/a>that is swollen and there is a pit like an indent that remains once you let go. If this occurs it means that you have to pit edema. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may need to press for several seconds in order to notice the dimple that shows up. In some cases, the pitting will be more obvious. If your skin is swollen and the tissues bounce right back to the normal shape when you press on it, you are experiencing non-pitting edema. If your skin is pitting it is important to make an appointment with your doctor right away to determine the underlying cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will be able to run some tests in order to determine what is causing the edema in the first place. Non-pitting edema should also be checked out by a medical professional, but it is not as serious as pitting edema. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Sudden Shortness of Breath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you find that you are suddenly short of breath it could be a sign that you are suffering from acute pulmonary edema. This can be life-threatening so it is important that you contact a medical professional right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shortness of breath may come on suddenly. This is caused by fluid building up in the walls or the pleura of the lungs<\/a>. When this fluid starts to build up it can become difficult to catch your breath. This shortness of breath may or may not be accompanied by chest pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are suddenly short of breath and you cannot seem to take in a deep breath no matter what you are doing, call 911 as you need to get medical attention as fast as possible in order to avoid long term side effects. This is a serious condition and must be dealt with properly right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Wheezing and Difficulty Breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom that a person may experience when they are suffering from pulmonary edema is difficulty breathing. This is different than shortness of breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person who has shortness of breath may simply not be able to take in enough air. A person that is having difficulty breathing may not take in any oxygen <\/a>at all. The cause for this is fluid in the lungs. This fluid can cause a person to make a sound when they are breathing which is called wheezing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A doctor will listen to the lungs to see if there is wheezing. If they hear this sound it is a sign that there is fluid in the lungs and proper treatment needs to be taken in order to get the lungs back to working properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you are having trouble breathing and you are making a wheezing sound when you breathe, seek medical attention right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Coughing up Spit that is Pink and Frothy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coughing <\/a>is something that everyone does from time to time. There are many reasons that a person may start coughing. When there is an irritation of the throat such as from dust or postnasal drip, you will cough in order to try to ease the discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, coughing can help to clear out the windpipe and the lungs. Most coughs, such as those caused by the flu or a cold will go away after several days on their own. However, if the cough is more serious and you notice that you are coughing up spit that is pink and frothy, it is time to see a doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a symptom of pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema can be dangerous, especially if it is not treated right away. If you are experiencing this symptom or any of the other symptoms on this list, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Blue or Gray Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign or symptom of pulmonary edema is skin that looks gray or blue in color. This is a sign that the body is not receiving enough oxygen. When the lungs begin to fill with fluid they cannot function properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lungs are designed to filter the air that we breathe and when fluid enters this organ it can cause all sorts of health issues. As the body is not receiving enough oxygen it will begin to shut down certain less important functions of the body. The skin may start to appear discolored as the body is trying to get the oxygen to the most important organs within to help stay alive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that your skin is starting to turn a gray or blue in color and you are having difficulty breathing, you need to seek medical attention right away in order to determine the underlying cause and to get the proper treatment<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Low Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At times, pulmonary edema may cause a person\u2019s blood pressure to drop. Some of the symptoms that correspond with low blood pressure include feeling dizzy or weak. A person may also start to sweat more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you begin to feel lightheaded or dizzy <\/a>and become sweaty, it is important to get some rest and to think about any other symptoms that you may be experiencing. You may be short of breath, which may be causing your blood pressure to be lower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating or drinking something may help with this symptom. It is important to make sure that you seek proper medical care when you notice a drop in blood pressure along with some of these other symptoms on the list. Call 911 if these symptoms come on suddenly. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause of your symptoms so that proper treatment can be provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Exhaustion and Weight Gain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom of pulmonary edema is being tired all of the time. When your lungs have fluid on them they have to work harder to push air through the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can cause the body to become more exhausted more quickly. In addition, the body is working harder to fight off the infection that is causing edema, which means that you will get tired more easily as the body is trying to rest in order to heal. Another sign that you are suffering from pulmonary edema is unexpected weight gain. This gain in weight will typically be quite quick and is often a sign of fluid building upon the lungs. Rapid weight gain<\/a> is also a symptom of congestive heart failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congestive heart failure can cause a person to develop pulmonary edema as well. If you are feeling more tired than usual and have gained weight suddenly, make sure that you discuss these symptoms with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Increase in Symptoms When Lying Down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The body is not a pressurized system. This fact means that when we lay down, our heart requires less effort to pump blood around the body than when standing. People suffering from pulmonary edema may find that their symptoms of discomfort <\/a>increase when lying down, as the fluid builds up around the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, many people suffering from pulmonary edema find it hard to fall asleep at night. The persistent discomfort and chest tightness may cause issues with breathing, that keep the patient awake. Some patients may find that the symptoms may wake them up frequently throughout the night. This effect of pulmonary edema may lead to sleep deprivation in some patients, further exacerbating their symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we don\u2019t get enough sleep, it affects every system in the body, reducing immune response while creating complications. If the patient can\u2019t sleep in a bed, have them try to fall asleep on the couch with their upper body elevated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Anxiety and Restlessness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When people experience the onset of chronic disease, it may take a toll on their mental state. Finding out that you have a chronic condition may induce emotions of fear and uncertainty. As a result, patients with pulmonary edema may find that they develop a condition known as, \u201cmalaise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients with malaise <\/a>find that they experience overwhelming feelings of fear and uncertainty about their health and future. When you\u2019re dealing with a life-threatening condition like pulmonary edema, you may have some doubts about whether or not you will make it through the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no known cure for malaise, as it\u2019s a mental health disorder. When the patient receives encouraging words from their doctor, and they start to see improvement in their condition \u2013 the symptoms of malaise lift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaise may lead to an increase in anxiety in the patient, causing them to have panic attacks that may exacerbate their condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Changes in Heart Rhythm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with pulmonary edema may experience a variety of cardiovascular complications, including changes in their heart rhythm. As the edema continues to spread in the lungs, the fluid may cause them to swell<\/a>, taking up more space in the chest cavity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This effect leads to changes in blood pressure and heart rate as the heart struggles to maintain optimal function in the presence of all of the inflammation and swelling caused by the edema.  Patients may experience irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or increases in heart rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors carefully monitor cardiovascular conditions, and any activity outside of what physicians expect may force them to take action \u2013 such as surgery, to help the patient. Cardiovascular issues only occur in the presence of severe edema so medical staff may keep the patient in ICU until the edema starts to subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edema occurs for a variety of different reasons, and you may experience an injury or situation that unexpectedly leaves you with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Difficulty Breathing During Exertion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with pulmonary edema experience a fluid buildup in the alveoli \u2013 the tiny sacs in the lungs found at the end of the bronchial tubes. Patients with pulmonary edema experience a fluid buildup in these sacs, interfering with the gaseous exchange of oxygen and CO2 in the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, patients with the condition may find that they develop symptoms of shortness of breath when exerting themselves. The additional physical activity causes an increase in respiration rates., However, since the alveoli <\/a>cannot absorb oxygen, the patient starts to feel tired or out of breath when walking up a flight of stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, patients who are suffering from the effects of pulmonary edema should ensure they have a caregiver with them at all times when they try to navigate their way from the hospital bed to the bathroom. This strategy ensures that someone is there to catch the patient if they pass out on their feet while walking.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Headache and Chest Discomfort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first symptoms of pulmonary edema is a headache. When the brain does not receive adequate oxygen for cognitive and neurological processes, it starts to show signs of strain<\/a>. As a result, the patient may begin to feel the onset of a headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This headache may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours \u2013 depending on the extent of the underlying condition causing the edema. The additional swelling in the chest cavity may also start to induce feelings of chest pain in the patient. Both of these symptoms occur in the early stages of the condition, and if you should notice the two occurring together, then it\u2019s an early warning sign of pulmonary edema. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The headache symptoms subside when the patient receives oxygen therapy to help them absorb more oxygen into their bloodstream. However, the chest pain symptoms may persist until the patient receives treatment to drain the fluid from their lungs and stop the edema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Fever and Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some patients may experience the onset of pulmonary edema due to bacterial or viral infection. When pathogens enter the body, they may infect various tissues depending on the aggression of the strain of bacteria or virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases of infection, the patient may start to experience the onset of a fever. Fever <\/a>is the body\u2019s natural defense against disease, and it turns up the temperature to provide the invaders with a hostile environment. This strategy prevents the bacteria or virus from spreading or replicating to other areas of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hypothalamus calls for the production of pyrogen proteins that attach to nerves endings and signal the CNS to turn up the body\u2019s core temperature., As a result, the patient starts to experience signs of a fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severe fevers may cause chills in the patient. As the body struggles to meet the new internal temperature setpoint, it shivers with cold as it lags, even though the patient is still running a fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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