The respiratory system is subject to external influences, and its diseases may be the result of any general pathology.
Fluid in the lungs: causes
A symptom such as fluid in the lungs can occur as a result of inflammation (tuberculosis, pleurisy, pneumonia), congestion, or cancer. Fluid in the lungs begins to accumulate as a result of increased permeability of the walls of the blood vessels, as well as if their integrity is impaired. In the first case, increased permeability of the walls of the vessels leads to the formation of transudate - edematous fluid that accumulates in the lungs. In the second case, the violation of the integrity of the walls of blood vessels by mechanical action leads to their inflammation and the formation of exudate. It is a cloudy-colored liquid rich in cells and protein that seeps through the walls of affected blood vessels. Often, mechanical damage to blood vessels is accompanied by the formation of hemothorax (accumulation in the pleural cavity of the blood). The cause of the appearance of fluid in the lungs may be the malfunctioning of the lymphatic system of the lungs, which leads to a slowdown in the removal of edematous fluid, which, in turn, contributes to the development of edema. This occurs with lung resection, accompanied by the removal of a large number of lymph nodes, after lung transplantation. A slight increase in the amount of fluid accumulated in the pulmonary interstitium is easily tolerated by the body. When its amount begins to increase too much, the lungs begin to lose their elasticity, gas exchange occurs in the lungs, and they become stiff.
One of the first signs of an increase in fluid volume is shortness of breath. This is due to a decrease in the rate of oxygen supply from the alveoli to the blood vessels. After all, a person has to breathe much more often than usual.
Pulmonary edema in the process of its development passes through 2 phases. First, an extravasation occurs in the interstitial space, and from there the fluid already enters the alveoli. In this case, attacks of cardiac asthma are observed, mainly during sleep, a person begins to complain of a lack of air. Coughing, wheezing occur. All these symptoms are aggravated when the patient is lying down. Later, sputum occurs, a faint pallor of the skin appears, complaints of pain in the chest area. It is necessary to diagnose cardiac asthma, given the presence of heart disease, chronic heart failure, the patient's age. Cardiac asthma should be distinguished from dyspnea during thromboembolism of pulmonary artery branches and from bronchial asthma.
Fluid in the lungs: treatment
There are various treatments for this disease. First of all, respiratory support (oxygen therapy, HF VVL, etc.) is needed, which helps to reduce hypoxia and increase intraalveolar pressure, which, in turn, prevents the transudation of fluid in the interstitium. It is also necessary to inhale moistened oxygen with alcohol vapor. For treatment, nitrates (nitroglycerin) are used. They reduce stagnation of venous blood in the lungs, while not increasing the amount of oxygen in the myocardium. In the right doses, nitrates help to reduce the load falling on the left ventricle of the heart, causing vasodilation of the arterial and venous channels. Nitrates are introduced into the body in two ways - this is either a tablet or a spray. The fluid in the lungs gradually disappears.
The use of analgesics (morphine) will be adequate. They relieve mental stress, which helps to reduce the burden on the respiratory muscles. Inotropic drugs, such as dopamine, are also often used. Its effect varies with dose. A dosage of 5-10 mcg / min causes an increase in cardiac output. Increasing the dose by 2 times, we get an alpha-metatic effect.