Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lung tissue and air spaces. This leads to impaired air exchange leading to respiratory failure. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is caused as the left ventricles do not pump the blood out of the lungs. Noncardiogenic causes are acute respiratory distress syndrome, blood clots, lung injury, etc. Treatment depends on the cause of edema.
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What is the treatment for forced breathing and persistent cold and cough?
Query: Hello doctor, I recently had issues with a somewhat forced breathing and a cold or a cough that is not clearing up from the last two to three months. The doctor sent me for a pulmonary test, the results of which I have attached. What do they mean? I have also attached my latest blood reports. Can yo... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through both the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your lung function tests detected a decreased diffusing capacity which can be due to either a vascular disease that decreases the blood supply to a portion of the lung or parenchy... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, My mother had open heart surgery, aortic valve, and bypass nine years ago; she has had an ejection fraction of 65 % since she was fine. Her medications are Concor 7.5 mg daily, Sintrom 4 according to the test, and Lanoxin, one tablet for five days a week. A year ago, she developed brad... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Fluid in the lungs has two meanings either pleural effusion or pulmonary edema. Please, send me her echocardiography report (the recent one) and chest X-ray. If echocardiography is not done during the last year, then repeat it. Pulmonary edema occurs due to a weak hear... Read Full »
Shortness of breath and chest pain after breathing in steam
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 26 year old male weighing in 185 and 5'9". I do not take any medications. I am worried if I am at risk of any complications after having breathed in some steam/air at about 350 F. I was covering a pot roast I had just taken out of the oven when I accidentally took a breath of it... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on the history, at times, though not very common, steam/air inhalation can cause inflammation of the airway leading to respiratory symptoms and even pulmonary edema. So, keep an eye on the following symptoms : If you develop hoarseness of voice, wheezing, strido... Read Full »
Was my father's death due to pulmonary edema or medical negligence?
Query: Dear doctor, My father died during angioplasty. The treating doctor said that the death is due to pulmonary edema. But we suspect it may be because of a medical negligence. I need a second opinion. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. What happens in a heart attack is that the patient's heart is not functioning properly. It does not maintain the speed and pressure required. And therefore, the blood and the fluid collects in the body including the lungs. When the fluid collects in the lungs, a person ... Read Full »
I have breathing difficulty with increased pulse rate for the past three months. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 49-year-old female with a height of five feet four inches. I am taking Abilify and Advair. I have a hard time while breathing for the past three months. I get out of breathing at any time even while brushing my teeth to standing up. I have a pulse rate of 115 to 120 beats per minu... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to the statement, you are suffering from breathing difficulties on little exertion with tachycardia and hot flashes. Your CT (computed tomography) scan shows abnormal supraclavicular or mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. It ca... Read Full »
Please suggest solution for frequent breathlessness with gastric issue in an elderly patient.
Query: Hello doctor, My father is 76 years old. He often complains of breathlessness and uses nebulizer every day. He has chronic gastric and digestion issues as well. His other health issues include diabetes, BP, spondylitis, and back pain. I got an x-ray done recently. Please advice. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Can you send me the x-ray report? And also tell me which Nebulization he is using? I will be happy to help him further with medicines and investigations. Read Full »
I have unrelenting back pain between my shoulder blades. What could be the reason?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 30 year old female. For the past few weeks, I have had an unrelenting back pain between my shoulder blades. I also have a sharp, tearing chest pain above my left breast area or along my sternum on my right side. The sharp pain will last a few minutes, then stop. At times, it rad... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. After reviewing your health query, I want to add that there may be anything from a list of possibilities. Keeping in mind the past history of PE (pulmonary edema), it can be a relapse of the same. Pain and other symptoms are also mimicking if originating from th... Read Full »
Why is there breathlessness in a CKD stage 5 patient?
Query: Hello doctor,My father is a patient of CKD stage 5. He is undergoing dialysis weekly twice. Right now he is having creatinine 9.1, potassium 5.2, and hemoglobin 8.9. Yesterday, he was given two units of blood during dialysis. Despite all that he is having severe breathlessness for these two days. Pl... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your father's potassium and creatinine levels are high. The breathlessness may be because of pulmonary edema. There is no specific medicine for these cases, as the best treatment is dialysis. Consider talking to your nephrologist to do the dialysis more frequently, s... Read Full »