How to treat sponge-like pulmonary edema?
Disease description:
My grandfather has had pleural effusion for a while. When he went to the hospital yesterday for a follow-up examination, the medical report showed that the pleural effusion appeared sponge-like. How should sponge-like pleural effusion be treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingli
Pulmonary edema with a sponge-like appearance is a relatively serious condition that requires professional medical treatment at a hospital. Treatment for this condition mainly includes the following aspects:
1. Surgical treatment: Surgery can often achieve a curative effect. For patients with large amounts of fluid accumulation or those requiring rapid symptom relief, catheter drainage or thoracentesis may be necessary to remove the accumulated fluid.
2. Medication: Depending on the underlying cause of the pulmonary edema—such as heart disease or tumors—doctors will prescribe appropriate medications to treat the related conditions or symptoms.
3. Dietary and lifestyle adjustments: Patients should actively cooperate with treatment, choosing nutritious foods beneficial to their health and avoiding irritating foods.
Treating pulmonary edema with a sponge-like appearance requires a comprehensive approach, combining multiple methods and developing individualized treatment plans based on each patient's specific condition.
