With pulmonary edema, a pathological accumulation of fluid in the lung tissue is observed. In cases where edema occurs due to heart disease, it can become chronic, but more frequent acute pulmonary edema, which develops rapidly and can quickly lead to death.
Treatment of cardiogenic pulmonary edema
The main tasks of treatment of cardiogenic pulmonary edema are:
- normalization of pressure in pulmonary capillaries and alveoli;
- elimination of mental stress;
- elimination of hypoxia.
Treatment activities, as a rule, include the following:
- Oxygenotherapy - the introduction of oxygen into the respiratory tract (inhalation through nasal catheters, nasal and mouth masks, tracheostomy tubes, etc.).
- The use of drugs that reduce motor excitation and adrenergic vasoconstrictor reaction (most often - diazepam).
- The use of high-speed diuretics to reduce hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. To reduce the venous influx to the heart, a short-term application of venous turnstiles can be used.
- Introduction of sympathomimetic amines to increase the contractility of the heart muscle.
- The use of nitrates to reduce afterload with high blood pressure.
In the absence of a positive effect, surgical intervention is used.
Treatment of toxic pulmonary edema
Therapy of toxic pulmonary edema is aimed at:
- elimination of hypoxia;
- decrease in increased vascular permeability;
- elimination of inflammatory disorders in the lungs.
Cardiotropic drugs, diuretics, glucocorticosteroids and other medicines are used.
Treatment of pulmonary edema at home
Self-treatment of pulmonary edema is impossible, only prevention is possible by folk remedies. At the first signs of pulmonary edema the patient should take a sitting position with his legs lowered, provide access to fresh air and call an ambulance. From medicines you can take a tablet of Nitroglycerin .
Prevention of pulmonary edema is necessary, for example, in bed patients, when stagnation in the chest is possible. Effective is the use of a broth prepared according to this recipe:
- Three tablespoons of anise seeds pour a glass of water.
- Boil for a quarter of an hour, let it brew for an hour.
- Add half a teaspoon of baking soda and the same amount of honey.