Acute pulmonary edema
Acute Pulmonary Edema
Acute pulmonary edema (pronounced: uh-kyoot pul-muh-nair-ee ih-dee-muh) is a medical condition characterized by the sudden onset of fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can lead to severe shortness of breath and other respiratory complications.
Etymology
The term "acute pulmonary edema" is derived from the Greek words "akutos" (meaning sharp or sudden), "pulmon" (meaning lung), and "oidema" (meaning swelling).
Definition
Acute pulmonary edema is a condition where there is a sudden or rapid fluid build-up in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. This fluid accumulation can interfere with gas exchange, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.
Causes
The most common cause of acute pulmonary edema is heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. Other causes can include pneumonia, exposure to certain toxins and medications, and trauma to the chest wall.
Symptoms
Symptoms of acute pulmonary edema can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They may include extreme shortness of breath, a feeling of suffocating or drowning, wheezing, gasping for breath, anxiety, restlessness, and excessive sweating.
Treatment
Treatment for acute pulmonary edema typically involves addressing the underlying cause, such as treating heart failure or discontinuing a medication. Other treatments may include oxygen therapy, medications to remove excess fluid from the body (diuretics), and medications to help the heart function more efficiently.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acute pulmonary edema
- Wikipedia's article - Acute pulmonary edema
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