First of all, when speaking about pulmonary edema,say what it is. This is the name of the pathological condition that occurs when the amount of fluid in the interstitial (intermediate) lung tissue and in the alveoli increases. As a result, the patient has a deficiency of oxygen in the blood, and as a consequence, and hypoxia (lack of tissue respiration). This is a serious, life-threatening condition, which develops quickly enough.
Why does it arise?
The causes of pulmonary edema are varied.First, it should be mentioned that hydrostatic edema and membranogenic are the type of development. In the first case, the release of fluid into the lumen of the alveoli and into the lung tissue is associated with increased pressure in the vessels or with a drop in the level of blood proteins. In the second type of edema, the liquid penetrates into the lung tissue and into the alveolar sacs from the vessels if their walls are damaged.
What are the causes of pulmonary edema caused by an increase in blood pressure or a decrease in the protein content in it?
- Hydrostatic pressure in a small circle growsheart defects, arrhythmias, "left heart" insufficiency, blockage of the branches of the pulmonary artery, increased bcc (circulating blood volume), including kidney failure, eclampsia of pregnant women, inadequate infusion therapy. Disorders of brain functions due to injuries, stroke, epilepsy, and surgical intervention can become triggers of neurogenic pulmonary edema.
- The level of protein in the plasma decreases with liver diseases (cirrhosis) and kidneys (accompanied by loss of protein in the urine).
What were the causes of pulmonary edema, if the mechanismits development is membranous? In this case, the capillary membrane is directly damaged by various factors, this occurs with infectious diseases, sepsis, water aspiration, gastric contents in the lungs, the effects of drugs, drugs, radiation.
With regard to problems on the part of the respiratory organs, then causing pulmonary edema can damage them, infectious diseases, tumors, bronchial asthma, pneumothorax, pleurisy, obstruction of airways, embolism of pulmonary arteries, and other pulmonary diseases. These causes lead to both hydrostatic and membranogenic swelling.
Whatever the causes of pulmonary edema, afterthe occurrence of its violation of the patient's condition develops according to one scenario. The fluid in the alveoli prevents them from fulfilling their function, arises, as already mentioned, hypoxia, that is, a lack of oxygen for the organs and tissues of the whole body. The patient manifests shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, quickening of breathing.
What treatment for pulmonary edema exists
Its principles are as follows:to maintain the respiratory function of the lungs (IVL, oxygen therapy, inhalation of moist oxygen), weaken venous stasis (nitrates), reduce bcc (diuretic, ACE inhibitors), reduce shortness of breath and relieve stress (narcotic analgesics). When heart diseases are prescribed drugs, depending on the existing pathology. In the presence of other diseases that caused pulmonary edema, it is necessary to conduct intensive therapy of the disease-cause in parallel with the fight against it.
