Pulmonary edema is a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs.
This fluid collects in the numerous air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Treatment for pulmonary edema varies depending on the cause but generally includes supplemental oxygen and medications.
The signs and symptoms you have depends on the type of pulmonary edema.
Physicians distinguish between 3 main forms and they are: Sudden (acute) pulmonary edema, long-term (chronic) pulmonary edema and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).
Despite the variety of symptoms, in any form of pulmonary edema, the main sign is shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
Causes
The causes of pulmonary edema vary. Pulmonary edema is grouped into two categories, depending on where the problem started.
If a heart problem causes the pulmonary edema, it's called cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Most often, the fluid buildup in the lungs is due to a heart condition.
If pulmonary edema is not heart related, it's called noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Sometimes, pulmonary edema can be caused by both a heart problem and a non-heart problem.
In most cases, heart problems cause pulmonary edema. But fluid can collect in the lungs for other reasons, including pneumonia, exposure to certain toxins and medications, trauma to the chest wall, and traveling to or exercising at high elevations.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20377009
