How to relieve pulmonary edema
Disease description:
I suddenly felt some chest pain while going to work in the afternoon. After going to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed it as pulmonary effusion. Could you please advise how to relieve pulmonary effusion?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingli
The management of pulmonary effusion primarily depends on the severity and underlying cause of the fluid accumulation. The following are key approaches for relief:
1. Medication: For pulmonary effusion caused by infections such as tuberculous pleurisy or pneumonia, anti-tuberculosis drugs (e.g., rifampicin, isoniazid) or antibiotics are required to control the infection. In cases of cardiogenic pulmonary effusion, diuretics (e.g., furosemide) can help reduce cardiac load and alleviate symptoms.
2. Oxygen therapy: For patients experiencing difficulty breathing, administration of high-concentration oxygen can help relieve symptoms and ensure adequate oxygen supply.
3. Surgical intervention: When pulmonary effusion recurs frequently or involves a large volume of fluid, surgical procedures such as thoracentesis or chest drainage may be considered to remove the accumulated fluid and relieve respiratory distress.
Effective management of pulmonary effusion requires selecting appropriate treatments based on individual circumstances and should always be conducted under medical supervision.
