The Causes and Symptoms of Pulmonary Oedema
This essay aims to cover the causes of Pulmonary Oedema and the symptoms it can induce. This particular field of study has been chosen and this essay will aim to analyse and evaluate the condition, as well as briefly identifying which kind of patient the illness is generally associated with .The two main types of Pulmonary Oedema this essay will aim to evaluate are known as Interstitial and Alveolar Oedema. Heart failure is recognised as one of the most common causes of the illness and this essay will also aim to gather and analyse evidence to support this claim.
Pulmonary Oedema, usually resulting from left sided heart failure, is fluid accumulation in the lungs which can happen due to inadequate functioning of the heart or circulatory system. It can be a result of cardiac disorders and can appear as a chronic condition or develop quickly, rapidly becoming fatal (Springhouse 2003). This claim is also supported the statement that if it is left untreated it can lead to coma or even death.
As previously stated there are two main types of Pulmonary Oedema. The first, known as Alveolar Oedema, is a condition in which the alveoli of the lung become filled with fluid, and can therefore appear opaque to x-rays. In this circumstance, treatment can be delayed if the external symptoms are not recognized and it is the fluid inside the alveoli septa that usually fills the airspace. It is the same fluid accumulation that can prevent oxygen from filling the alveoli, and in turn can also stop the oxygen from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Some of the common causes for this condition are usually inhalation of toxic gases, severe infection, aspiration or even multiple blood transfusions.
The second is known as Interstitial Oedema which occurs initially when a build up of pressure pushes the fluid out of the alveoli and into the surrounding tissue. This can be caused by Multi trauma, illicit drug use particularly cocaine, and from a Haemorrhage to the subarachnoid space of the brain. If this is present for a long time the patient may become more susceptible to infection as well as sustaining acute injury to the lung.
Heart failure is recognized as being the most common cause of the illness and the number of patients, mainly elderly, seems to be increasing. This claim is supported by McDonagh et al (1997) cited by Coady (2002:41) who claimed that heart failure is predominantly a disease of the elderly and in the UK, prevalence of symptomatic heart failure increases with age to about 10 percent in those aged over seventy five years and it continues to rise.
This evidence suggests that Pulmonary Oedema is becoming more prevalent in the UK, also compelling healthcare professionals to recognize it as an illness generally associated with the elderly.
However, there are other causes of Pulmonary Oedema that would lead one to believe that it should not necessarily be an illness solely associated with the elderly. Such causes could be pneumonia, head injury, mercury poisoning or even near drowning as these causes can occur in people of any age.
There are many different symptoms of Pulmonary Oedema, and some may be easier to recognise than others. In the case of Alveolar Oedema the patient may be showing external signs of Pulmonary Oedema, but due to the condition being opaque to x-rays medical professionals may find it difficult to diagnose from evidence based on internal symptoms especially if the condition is in its early stages and no infections or noticeable lung damage has been induced.
The main symptom of Pulmonary Oedema can be recognized if the patient is experiencing difficulty in breathing. Depending on the stage of development of the condition; breathing difficulties may vary in accordance with severity. If the patient is repositioned upright breathing can become more manageable, it does not resolve the condition completely but can help manage comfort levels if only temporarily. A dry, tickly cough usually can usually follow.
The classic signs of Pulmonary Oedema can be the production of pink frothy phlegm, swelling of certain limbs such as the ankles or hands, anxiety, wheezing and restlessness. Atozdiseases (2007) claim that in a severe attack patients may also turn bluish as there is an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood.
In conclusion, this essay has hopefully gathered a sufficient amount of evidence to suggest the condition is becoming more prevalent in the UK, and that increasing numbers of patients with the illness are predominantly associated with the elderly. The information presented shows that Pulmonary Oedema can generally be a condition associated with elderly patients, usually induced from inadequate cardiac or respiratory function.
Inasmuch, it can also occur as a result of inflicted social behaviour which can be implemented from any age group. This essay has hopefully given a clear insight into the symptomatic changes the body can go through, as well as looking at the main causes of Alveolar and Interstitial Pulmonary Oedema.
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