Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cavities of the body anywhere on the body. Edema, if left untreated, can cause serious health issues with the patient and might even cause death if the most extreme cases. One of the most common and dangerous types of edema is pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs of the patient. The fluid in the lungs accumulate in the air sacs of the lungs, which makes it extremely difficult to breathe. Pulmonary edema causes impaired gas exchange and has the possibility of causing respiratory failure. The majority of pulmonary edema cases are caused by some form of heart problems. Other causes of pulmonary edema include pneumonia, exercising at high elevations, living at high elevations, exposure to certain toxins and certain medications.
 Most cases of pulmonary edema are treated supplemental oxygen and different medications. Treatments also focus on increasing the functions of respiratory movements and ridding the body of the source of the problem if at all possible. Sometimes, pulmonary edema can occur out of the blue, making it a medical emergency and calling for immediate medical attention. Pulmonary edema is one form of the condition that can be fatal if treatment is not rapid and the root cause is not discovered. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema that occur out of the blue include one or more of the following:
- A rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Excessive sweating
- Cough with foamy sputum
- Cough tinged with blood
- Anxiety
- A sense of apprehension
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Breathlessness
- Gasping for breath
- Pale skin
- The feeling of suffocating and drowning
- Shortness of breath
The signs and symptoms that develop over a long period of time, more often than not due to heart failure, include one or more of the following: - Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid weight gain
- Swelling of the legs
- Ankle edema
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Shortness of breath during physical activity
- Breathless feeling at night that is cured by sitting up
- Breathing with effort becomes difficult
Pulmonary edema caused by high altitude levels have the following signs and symptoms: - Insomnia
- Cough
- Fluid retention
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
The most life threatening form of pulmonary edema is acute pulmonary edema. This form of edema comes on with no warning or notice and the signs and symptoms of this condition include the following: - Severe drop in blood pressure
- Feeling of suffocating
- Blue or gray tone to the skin
- Excessive sweating while having trouble breathing
- Gasping or wheezing sound when breathing
- Pink sputum when coughing
If anyone experiences these symptoms seek medical treatment immediately as pulmonary edema is the most dangerous form of edema. If treatment is not administered immediately the patient risks serious medical problems and possibly even death. Once treatment is administered, typically including oxygen, the patient will see their breathing habits return to normal.
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