Symptoms, causes and treatment of pulmonary congestion

Condition analysis:
Pulmonary congestion, also known as pulmonary edema, is a serious medical condition characterized by the buildup of fluid in an individual’s lungs. Treatment for this potentially life-threatening condition often requires the administration of supplemental oxygen and medication to stabilize the individual’s condition. Complications associated with this condition can include the necessitation of permanent supplemental oxygen and premature death.

Individuals who develop pulmonary congestion may experience a variety of signs and symptoms that may gradually progress to the point of severely impairing one’s ability to breathe without the aid of artificial support. In addition to shortness of breath, individuals may develop a persistent and bloody cough that progressively worsens. The continued accumulation of fluid in one’s lungs often leads to audible respiration demonstrated with wheezing and gurgling when breathing deeply. Additional signs may include pallor, feelings of anxiety, and profuse sweating.

Instructions:
In order to prevent permanent damage, timely and appropriate treatment is necessary to alleviate symptoms associated with pulmonary congestion. Treatment is often dependent on the cause of the congestion, such as that induced by the occurrence of a heart attack. Once the underlying cause for the congestion is identified and treated, then the congestion may be remedied.

Those with pulmonary edema may be given supplemental oxygen to ease their breathing and, in some cases, a breathing tube may be introduced into the trachea. Diuretics are often administered to alleviate fluid that has accumulated and impaired respiration. If symptoms are left untreated, pulmonary edema may lead to oxygen deprivation-induced organ failure and, ultimately, result in death.