Health Diseases I Female Health

“Fluid in the lungs “refers to a bubbling sound in the lungs (rales) when breathing. The fluid is accumulated inside the lung (pulmonary edema) or outside the lung (pleural effusion), in the space between the lung and chest wall.The most common cause for fluid inside the lungs is mucus, that is produced by the lining of the respiratory tract.

Causes of Fluid Inside the Lungs

1. Bronchitis is the most common cause of mucus in the lungs that is characterized by continual coughing that is developed after the common ‘cold’ or flu as a result of a secondary bacterial infection.
2. Infections may cause hyper secretion of mucus in the respiratory area and this includes viral like swine flu, bacteria, and fungi, parasitic.
3. Pneumonia means “lung water” or fluid with a thinner viscosity that may cause due to swelling of the lung tissue. It may be due to gastric contents that are aspirated from the stomach into the lungs.
4. Allergies often result in increased mucus production that may cause irritation of the bronchioles and mucus in the chest of asthmatics.
5. Renal failure may cause pulmonary edema as a result the kidneys are unable to filter toxins in the blood.
6. Smoke inhalation may cause severe inflammation of the lung tissue, that results in fluid accumulation in the lungs.
7. Drug side effects may result in pulmonary edema and this includes OTC (over-the-counter) or prescription drugs, narcotics or anesthetics.

Treatment of Fluid in the Lungs

Treatment is dependent on the cause of the fluid in the lungs. Some of the treatment options may include for different causes.
• Antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal is necessary in the case of an infection.
• Diuretics help with passing out additional fluid from the lung but that is not applicable for cardiac diseases patient.
• Antihistamines may be compulsory in allergic reactions • Corticosteroids may be useful for controlling inflammation and mucus production, as in asthma, and this may be used long term to prevent acute attacks.
• Chest drainage with a tube may be necessary for an empyema or a therapeutic thoracentesis may be required for a pleural effusion.
• Anti-hypertensive drugs may be administered in cases of high blood pressure.
• Oxygen is administered in severe cases of fluid in the lungs where proper gas exchange is impaired..
• Physiotherapy may be necessary to assist with mucus drainage.