What does noncardiac pulmonary edema do to your body?

Answer 1

Non-heart-related pulmonary edema is caused by lung problems like pneumonia, an excess of intravenous fluids, some types of kidney disease, bad burns, liver disease, nutritional problems, and Hodgkin's disease. Non-heart-related pulmonary edema can also be caused by other conditions where the lungs do not drain properly, and conditions where the respiratory veins are blocked.

Early symptoms of pulmonary edema include:

shortness of breath upon exertion
sudden respiratory distress after sleep
difficulty breathing, except when sitting upright
coughing

In cases of severe pulmonary edema, these symptoms will worsen to:

labored and rapid breathing
frothy, bloody fluid containing pus coughed from the lungs (sputum)
a fast pulse and possibly serious disturbances in the heart's rhythm (atrial fibrillation, for example)
cold, clammy, sweaty, and bluish skin
a drop in blood pressure resulting in a thready pulse

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually diagnose pulmonary edema based on the patient's symptoms and a physical exam. Patients with pulmonary edema will have a rapid pulse, rapid breathing, abnormal breath and heart sounds, and enlarged neck veins. A chest x ray is often used to confirm the diagnosis. Arterial blood gas testing may be done. Sometimes pulmonary artery catheterization is performed to confirm that the patient has pulmonary edema and not a disease with similar symptoms (called adult respiratory distress syndrome or "noncardiogenic pulmonary edema").

Treatment

Pulmonary edema requires immediate emergency treatment. Treatment includes: placing the patient in a sitting position, oxygen, assisted or mechanical ventilation (in some cases), and drug therapy. The goal of treatment is to reduce the amount of fluid in the lungs, improve gas exchange and heart function, and, where possible, to correct the underlying disease.

To help the patient breathe better, he/she is placed in a sitting position. High concentrations of oxygen are administered. In cases where respiratory distress is severe, a mechanical ventilator and a tube down the throat (tracheal intubation) will be used to improve the delivery of oxygen. Non-invasive pressure support ventilation is a new treatment for pulmonary edema in which the patient breathes against a continuous flow of positive airway pressure, delivered through a face or nasal mask. Non-invasive pressure support ventilation decreases the effort required to breath, enhances oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, and increases cardiac output.

Drug therapy could include morphine, nitroglycerin, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and vasodilators. Vasopressors are used for cardiogenic shock. Morphine is very effective in reducing the patient's anxiety, easing breathing, and improving blood flow. Nitroglycerin reduces pulmonary blood flow and decreases the volume of fluid entering the overloaded blood vessels. Diuretics, like furosemide (Lasix), promote the elimination of fluids through urination, helping to reduce pressure and fluids in the blood vessels. ACE inhibitors reduce the pressure against which the left ventricle must expel blood. In patients who have severe hypertension, a vasodilator such as nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) may be used. For cardiogenic shock, an adrenergic agent (like dopamine hydrochloride [Intropin], dobutamine hydrochloride [Dobutrex], or epinephrine) or a bipyridine (like amrinone lactate [Inocor] or milrinone lactate [Primacor]) are given.

Prognosis

Most patients with pulmonary edema who seek immediate treatment can be treated quickly and effectively.

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Answer 2

Pulmonary edema is literally the deposition of fluid into the alveoli which are the end points of the smallest airways. This fluid prevents the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Pulmonary edema is a very serious condition which may lead to death in a sense from 'drowning'. Although I do not watch must television I will admit that I enjoy the cerebral Las Vegas CSI which had an episode of death due to altitude related pulmonary edema. Indeed rapid ascent to as little as 10 000 feet (think of the rim of the Grand Canyon) may induce pulmonary edema and I have treated an individual returning from that very circumstance.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What does noncardiac pulmonary edema do to your body?

Answer 4

http://www.medstudents.com.br/terin/terin7.htm

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/pulmonary_edema.jsp

Pulmonary edema is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs, usually because the heart's left ventricle does not pump adequately

The build-up of fluid in the spaces outside the blood vessels of the lungs is called pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema is a common complication of heart disorders, and most cases of the condition are associated with heart failure. Pulmonary edema can be a chronic condition, or it can develop suddenly and quickly become life threatening. The life-threatening type of pulmonary edema occurs when a large amount of fluid suddenly shifts from the pulmonary blood vessels into the lung, due to lung problems, heart attack, trauma, or toxic chemicals. It can also be the first sign of coronary heart disease.

Answer 5

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

See this site:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000140.htm

Answer 6

It makes your body retain (keep inside) fluids. It can cause shortness of breath and other breathing problems, that make you tired and weak feeling. You should see a pulmonary (Lung) doctor for that.

Answer 7

www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/pulmonary_edema.jsp

Above is some great info on the subject, it causes extreme swelling.