Cough

Getting water into the lungs when swimming. What happens if water gets into your lungs?

Hello! It seems to me that there is practically no reason for your concern. It is possible that the water did not enter your lungs at all. But even if it did hit, it would probably be in very small quantities. And, if you are a healthy person, then a small volume of water should very quickly be absorbed by the tissue of the respiratory tract on its own. Moreover, you coughed up phlegm. Coughing is the body’s protective reaction to irritation of the human respiratory tract. Whether water accidentally got into your respiratory tract, a crumb of bread, or you inhaled a strong smell, for example, tobacco smoke, coughing is a natural defensive reaction. During a cough, the body tries to get rid of mucus, or foreign particles that have entered the respiratory tract. I believe you can increase your physical activity at this time to make your breathing more frequent and deeper. Just do some breathing exercises.

However, if you are still concerned about your health, I think it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor.

Water in the lungs can be dangerous in a drowning situation or in the event of any serious illness. For example, with hydrothorax, when there is an accumulation of free fluid in the pleural cavity, the peripulmonary sac. It occurs for the same reason as ascites - stagnation of blood and sweating of its liquid part into the cavity. Considering that the fluid compresses the lung tissue over time, the patient develops shortness of breath or its sharp worsening if it existed before the development of hydrothorax. In addition, the lung tissue itself is “stuffed” with water, and this, even more than hydrothorax, increases shortness of breath.

Hydrothorax can be diagnosed by examining the patient, and in the place where the fluid has accumulated, changes will be detected during percussion (special tapping with fingers, which the doctor always uses). In the same area, when listening with a phonendoscope, breathing will be weakened or completely absent. If such data is detected, the doctor will certainly refer the patient for a chest X-ray, which will finally resolve all questions, since the fluid and its level are clearly visible in the image.

It must be said that the diagnosis of hydrothorax is established, regardless of the cause of its occurrence and the amount of accumulated fluid. The cause of hydrothorax may not only be cardiac. In addition, even a small amount of fluid that does not even make itself felt will also be called hydrothorax.

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Why does fluid accumulate in the lungs?

Fluid accumulates in the lungs due to increased vascular permeability or damage. In the latter case, there is an inflammatory process accompanied by the formation of exudate. There can be several reasons for the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. One of them is a malfunction of the lymphatic system, which is where swelling occurs.

Causes of the disease

The causes of fluid accumulation are associated with the following factors:

The presence of inflammatory processes.
Cardiac problems can cause damage to both the left and right lungs.
Injuries to the chest and brain.
Chronic pathologies of the respiratory system, forming edema.
Pneumothorax.
Oncology.
Liver diseases.

Fluid accumulates in the lung tissue as a result of diseases that cause disruption of the immune system. One of them is diabetes mellitus.

Clinical picture

The normal amount of liquid does not exceed a two-millimeter layer. The body tolerates a small increase easily, and mild symptoms may go unnoticed. When fluid begins to accumulate, the lung becomes less elastic, which impairs gas exchange within it.

The patient begins to develop the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath that occurs even at rest. The rate of oxygen supply to the alveoli decreases, breathing is difficult, which can cause hypoxia. The accumulation of fluid causes attacks of cardiac asthma. The patient does not have enough air, pain occurs inside the chest. The resulting symptoms intensify when the person lies down.
Cough, sometimes accompanied by sputum production. Attacks usually occur in the morning and at night, interfering with proper rest.
Weakness, a feeling of fatigue may appear even during rest.
Dizziness, fainting.
Increased nervousness.
Chills, bluish discoloration of the skin due to developing hypoxia, numbness of the extremities.

At the first symptoms, attacks of suffocation are already possible, so you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostic methods

To choose an effective treatment regimen, it is important for the doctor to make sure that fluid has accumulated inside the lungs, and also to find out why this is happening. Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to obtain results in a short time.

After studies using X-rays and ultrasound to determine effusion, a more detailed examination is carried out, which includes:

Biochemical blood test.
Study of blood gas composition.
Blood test for clotting.
Identification of concomitant diseases.

If necessary, urine and pulmonary exudate are taken for analysis.

Treatment methods

Eliminating the cause of fluid accumulation and reducing hypoxia are the main goals pursued by measures to treat pulmonary edema.

Depending on the medical history, the following methods are used:

In case of pneumonia, it is important to stop the development of the infectious process, so antibiotics are prescribed. Antiviral drugs will help strengthen the body's defenses.
When fluid accumulates in the lungs due to heart failure, treatment involves the use of diuretics and bronchodilators. Removing accumulated fluid helps reduce the load on the lungs. Bronchodilators help relieve spasms, which relieves stress on the respiratory muscles. At the same time, medications are prescribed to strengthen the heart muscle.

When diagnosing pleurisy, the doctor selects appropriate antibiotics, hormonal and antitussive agents. Additional methods - massage, UHF, breathing exercises. If necessary, a pleural puncture is performed.
If fluid accumulation occurs due to brain diseases, the diuretic Furosemide is used.
Fluid formed due to renal failure is eliminated with conservative treatment and a special diet.
Liver pathologies require diuretic treatment and diet.
When fluid begins to collect due to chest injury, drainage may be required. The patient is prescribed inhalation of humidified oxygen.

Before eliminating the cause of fluid accumulation in the lungs, it is sometimes necessary to resort to artificial ventilation.

The use of analgesics will relieve mental stress, due to which the respiratory muscles will experience less stress. Inotropic drugs such as dopamine are also used.

Pleurodesis helps to avoid relapses when, after pumping out the water, the cavity is filled with medicine.

The exudate is collected and subject to histological examination if the formation of edema is associated with a benign or malignant tumor.

Folk remedies

A pathology such as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs is considered quite dangerous, so self-medication is inappropriate here.

As soon as symptoms characteristic of this disease are detected, you need to see a specialist.

However, it is sometimes possible to alleviate the patient’s condition when fluid begins to accumulate in the lungs using folk remedies. It is better to consult your doctor about their use.

Among the most famous recipes, it is worth highlighting the following:

Boil anise seeds (3 teaspoons) in a glass of honey for about 15 minutes. After cooling, add ½ teaspoon of soda and take a spoonful three times a day.

A decoction of flax seeds. For 1 liter of water you will need 4 tablespoons of seeds. Boil, leave, drink 100 ml decoction every 2.5 hours.
Blueberry root. A decoction is prepared from it. For 0.5 liters of water, take 1 tablespoon of raw materials. Place the mixture in a water bath for 40 minutes. After cooling, strain, drink 50 ml daily.
Honey tincture. To prepare you will need honey, butter, cocoa, lard - 100 g of each and 20 ml of aloe juice. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and heat slightly. Before taking, add a glass of milk. The finished drug is drunk one teaspoon at a time.
Infusion of aloe with honey and Cahors. Mix the components (150, 250 and 300 g, respectively) and leave in a dark place for 24 hours. Take a teaspoon three times a day.
Parsley decoction. The plant has the property of removing accumulated fluid from the lungs, which helps fight pathology. You will need 400 g of fresh parsley sprigs. They need to be filled with 0.5 liters of milk. Place on the stove and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and cook until the amount of liquid is reduced by half. Take a tablespoon of the decoction every couple of hours.

Treatment with folk remedies is usually used as an addition to primary therapy. To cure swelling of the lungs and remove the accumulated fluid, patience and endurance are required.

A frivolous attitude towards health in such a pathology is a real threat to life. There is no point in taking risks and trying to heal on your own.

Possible complications

The neglected situation threatens with serious consequences. The accumulation of fluid leads to hypoxia, breathing becomes rapid, and a cough appears, which further aggravates the swelling.

The amount of mucus secreted increases, the patient becomes restless, chills are observed, the skin turns pale, and body temperature decreases.

One of the most serious consequences is an imbalance in the nervous system and brain activity. The risk of chronic liver pathologies, disruption of the vegetative-vascular system, and strokes increases. The possibility of death cannot be ruled out.

If symptoms indicating fluid in the lungs are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The patient must be taken to the doctor immediately.

Prevention

possible by following the following recommendations:

When there are cardiovascular diseases, it is necessary to be examined 2 times a year.
For patients with allergies and asthma, always carry medications that relieve an attack with you.
People working in hazardous industries need to take measures to prevent poisoning.
Periodic medical examinations will help to identify the existing problem in time.
Adhere to a lifestyle that includes giving up smoking, alcohol abuse, a nutritious and balanced diet, and physical exercise.
Get fluorography regularly.

You cannot ignore symptoms indicating pathology in the lungs. In the early stages it can be much easier to cope with the disease. Those who have undergone treatment for fluid accumulation in the lungs are advised to closely monitor their health, especially take care of the respiratory system.

Fluid in the lungs during oncology: what is it and prognosis

Fluid in the lungs due to cancer is a serious and dangerous symptom that requires urgent medical attention. In case of cancer, fluid can accumulate in the human chest, both in the pleural cavity (pleurisy) and in the lung tissues (pulmonary edema).

The accumulation of water in the respiratory organs occurs gradually and reaches a very large amount. This interferes with the normal functioning of the lungs and contributes to an increase in respiratory failure. The presence of fluid in the respiratory system, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous consequences and even cause the patient’s premature death.

Pleurisy and pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema - what is it? This is an extremely dangerous and difficult to treat condition, which is accompanied by cardiovascular failure and organ failure.

The characteristic signs of this disease appear in advanced late stages of the disease, so treatment is most often ineffective.

With the help of intensive therapy, the patient's condition is temporarily alleviated, but it is impossible to live with such a pathology for a long time.

Water in the pleural cavity is less dangerous than with pulmonary edema. Currently, there are effective methods to remove excess fluid in the edematous pleural cavity and stabilize the patient’s condition. A disease in which the pleural cavity is filled with fluid is called pleurisy.

The pleural cavity is the area between the two pleural layers. The outer layer covers the lungs from the outside and provides protection and tightness. The inner leaf lines the wall inside the chest cavity.

In the normal state, between the layers of the pleura there is always a fluid of the required volume (about 10 ml of fluid), which ensures the movement of the lungs during breathing. Normally, the layer of fluid in the pleural cavity should be 2 mm thick.

In cases where more fluid accumulates, congestion in the lungs and edema are observed.

Water in the lungs or in the pleural cavity can appear with cancer of the lungs, breast and pancreas, genitals, stomach, and intestines. This can happen at any stage of the disease. Water accumulates in the lungs when the body is severely weakened and cannot resist the disease. The accumulation of water in the pleural cavity is called pleural effusion.

Hydrothorax is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, which is not of inflammatory origin. The popular name for this disease is dropsy. Dropsy of the right or left lung is quite rare. The most common type is bilateral hydrothorax.

Typically, exudative (encysted) pleurisy in oncology develops due to the spread of metastases into the pleural cavity and lymph nodes located in the chest. These processes reduce lymphatic drainage and increase the permeability of blood vessel walls.

Reasons

If the pleural cavity or lungs are filled with fluid, this leads to disruption of air exchange in the respiratory organs and damage to the integrity of the walls of blood vessels. Where does the liquid come from and why does it accumulate?

The following reasons may contribute to the formation of malignant pleurisy:

complication after radiotherapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
surgery to remove a malignant tumor;
the growth of a cancer tumor into adjacent and regional lymph nodes or the development of metastases;
a sharp decrease in the level of total protein in the body (in the later stages of the disease);
decreased blood pressure;
high permeability of pleural tissue;
blockage of the thoracic lymphatic process in the lung;
partial or complete blocking of the lumen of a large bronchus.

These factors provoke a decrease in pressure in the pleural cavity, due to which fluid begins to collect.

There are several other reasons why water appears in the respiratory system:

What causes pulmonary edema in older people? In older people, this disease can occur due to heart or kidney failure or, very often, from injury to the sternum.

Fluid in the lungs is often observed in newborns. This happens when the baby is born prematurely or by Caesarean section.

In severe cases, the newborn is placed in intensive care for treatment; in uncomplicated cases, water is pumped out from the respiratory system with a special pump.

Symptoms

Malignant pleurisy is characterized by systematic and slow development. In cases of cancer, the accumulation of water in the lungs occurs over many years. Therefore, in some cases, diagnosing pleurisy helps to detect a tumor and prevent the formation of metastases in the pleura. : lung cancer symptoms and signs.

In the early stages, the accumulation of water does not appear in any way and is not felt by the patient. Most often, the disease is discovered accidentally during a clinical examination.

Over time, a lot of fluid collects in the edematous pleural cavity, and characteristic symptoms appear:

Pulmonary edema is an extremely dangerous condition, the symptoms of which develop very quickly, within a few hours. Why is liquid dangerous in this pathology? Manifestations of pulmonary edema can cause an attack of suffocation, which without timely help can even result in the death of the patient.

Typical signs of water accumulation depend on the amount of fluid in the respiratory organs and location.

There are several typical manifestations of the disease:

increasing shortness of breath, first from physical activity, and then at rest;
general weakness, decreased performance;
cough with mucus and foam from the nose and mouth;
a feeling of pain in the lower or lateral region of the sternum (pain increases with physical activity or coughing);
breathing problems (gurgling sounds and wheezing are heard);
dizziness, lightheadedness;
bluish or pale skin;
numbness of hands and feet;
chills, constantly feeling “chill”;
increased sweating, cold sticky sweat;
tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
increased nervous excitability.

If such symptoms appear, it is necessary to begin treatment immediately, remove water from the respiratory tract if possible, and carry out procedures to restore breathing in order to avoid serious consequences.

Important! The appearance of copious pink, frothy sputum means that the patient needs urgent medical attention. If the patient is not helped in time, this can lead to death.

Diagnostics

If a patient develops similar symptoms, he should urgently go to a medical facility and be examined by an oncologist, who, if necessary, will refer him to other specialists: a pulmonologist, an ENT doctor, and others. All specialists collect a detailed medical history and conduct a thorough examination of the patient.

In order to determine an accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is carried out. During an examination by a doctor, the lag of the diseased lung in the breathing process is determined. When palpating the chest, a shortened sound is taken into account when the lower part of the chest is tapped.

If there are signs of pleurisy, the doctor prescribes the following tests:

chest x-ray;
Ultrasound of the chest;
CT scan – determines the cause of the disease;
puncture from the pleural cavity - fluid is collected and sent for histological and cytological examination.

Only after receiving information about the patient’s disease will a clinic representative be able to calculate the exact price for treatment.

Treatment

When the causes and symptoms of the disease are clarified, treatment begins directly. Surgical operations for pulmonary edema are ineffective; only drug therapy is used.

Various medications are used to treat this disease:

cardiac glycosides - substances that stimulate myocardial contraction (strophanthin, corglycon);
diuretics - diuretics that stimulate the removal of fluid from the body (furosemide, etc.);
drugs that expand and tone the smooth muscles of the bronchi (aminophylline).

Using modern methods of therapy, it is possible to completely cure malignant pleurisy, thereby significantly increasing the patient’s life expectancy. For malignant pleurisy, treatment will be very different, since in this case drug treatment is ineffective.

A radical method of treatment is a surgical operation that pumps out fluid from the respiratory tract in case of oncology. For pleurisy, two types of surgery are used to remove water from the lungs: thoracentesis and pleurodesis.

Pleurocentesis is an operation in which exudate is removed mechanically (by puncture). During the operation, a thin needle is used to puncture the lung to pump out water.

Then another needle is used with an electric suction tube attached. Thus, excess fluid is pumped out, and the patient immediately feels relief.

If the fluid after pumping out of the pleural cavity is yellow-brown and transparent, then there is no infection.

After such an operation, fluid in the lungs sometimes builds up again, since the main cause of the disease has not been eliminated. There are times when the liquid has to be pumped out several times. Repeated pumping of fluid is very difficult for the patient to tolerate.

In addition, after this procedure, the formation of adhesions is observed, which further complicate the course of the main disease. During or after surgery, mucus plugs may develop in the airways because the patient is unable to cough. Such plugs are removed using special suction.

Pleurodesis is a surgical intervention during which the pleural cavity is filled with special means that prevent the re-accumulation of fluid. Currently, this operation is widely used in medicine and allows to achieve maximum effectiveness of treatment and eliminate recurrence of the disease.

The following drugs are used during therapy:

cytostatics (cisplatin, embiquin);
immunomodulators (interleukin);
antibiotics and antimicrobials (tetracycline);
radioisotopes.

For oncological diseases sensitive to chemotherapy, cytostatic agents are used. In 65% of cases, this approach to therapy helps to get rid of exudative symptoms of pleurisy.

In some cases, the cause of the accumulation of water in the respiratory system is pneumonia. Then, to combat a dangerous infection, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. In addition, it is recommended to take antitussive and antiviral drugs.

Some folk remedies allow you to remove fluid from the respiratory tract right at home. But they should not be used without prior discussion with your doctor. Here are some of the plants used in folk medicine to remove water from the lungs: oats, parsley, onions, viburnum, anise, flax seeds, aloe.

Forecast

How long do patients with pleurisy or pulmonary edema live? According to statistics, timely treatment of pleurisy in half of all cases prolongs the patient’s life and improves its quality. If manifestations of the disease are detected at stage II or III of oncology, there is a possibility of successful treatment.

In cases where edema or pleurisy has developed at an advanced stage, treatment is usually difficult and brings only temporary relief to the patient. First, the fluid is pumped out, then procedures are carried out to make breathing easier during metastases.

With metastatic changes in the respiratory organs and regional lymph nodes, the prognosis is unfavorable - survival ranges from several months to a year. If there is pulmonary edema in a cancer patient and there is no medical care (timely pumping out of fluid), the patient may die within a few hours.

Approximate price for some services for detecting pulmonary edema in large medical centers:

consultation with a pulmonologist – 10,000 rubles;
X-ray – 5,000 rubles;
examination of external respiration function – 3,000 rubles;
MSCT of the chest – 10,000 rubles.

Fluid in the lungs (accumulation of water): what does it mean, symptoms and signs, causes, treatment, how long they live, how dangerous it is

A serious problem for the body is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. This disease is called pleurisy. To eliminate it, medical intervention is required, otherwise many complications arise.

This process means that a hidden disease is developing in the body. Depending on its type, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

During the process under consideration, the pulmonary structural units (alveoli) are filled with fluid. It appears after leaking through the blood vessels. A peculiar displacement of a certain volume of blood occurs with excess pressure or during injury.

What happens when fluid appears in the lungs

If excessive accumulation of exudate appears, this indicates the development of edema. If the process was caused by an oncological formation, then treatment is ineffective.

The accumulation of exudate often occurs not in the organ itself (lung), but in the interstitial spaces. The entire thorax is covered with the first petal. He plays a protective role. As for the second, it covers the lung surface, providing sealing and elasticity.

The inflammatory process that affects the pleural lobes occurs with pleurisy. The disease can have a different course:

exudative pleurisy occurs when fluid accumulates between the pleural sheets;
dry pleurisy is accompanied by the deposition of proteins, including fibrin;
purulent pleurisy develops when a purulent mass is released into the area between the petals.

If everything is in order with the human body, then there is liquid between the pleural tissues of the petals, but it is not enough. Its purpose is to ensure the mobility of organ tissue during inhalation or exhalation.

The pathological process associated with the accumulation of fluid is caused by other diseases that at first glance may seem unrelated to the functionality of the lungs. For example, breast cancer, uterine adenoma, liver or kidney disease - all these diseases can cause the accumulation of exudate in the lung area.

The danger of fluid accumulation in the lung area is that after a while an attack of suffocation occurs. It can cause death in both adults and children. For this reason, experts do not recommend self-treatment at home when the first symptoms appear.

Pleurisy can appear after the following diseases: lupus, pancreatitis (if it appeared after alcohol abuse), thromboembolism of an artery in the lungs, heart attack, arthritis.

Classification

During illness, a certain number of pathological changes lead to oxygen starvation (this occurs over different periods of time, depending on the individual characteristics of the body).

There are three flow processes:

Liquid accumulation, s high pace of development - begins suddenly, cannot be treated, and is accompanied by death.
Acute form - symptoms develop over 3-4 hours. The injured person can be saved (specialized care is required), but on the condition that it is not hepatitis or cancer.
Protracted form – capable of developing over 24 hours or more.

As fluid accumulates, edema develops. It, depending on the reasons for its appearance, is divided into the following types:

Hydrostatic– Occurs with high blood pressure. Exudate enters the alveoli through the walls of blood vessels. This type can develop with cardiovascular failure.
Membranous– occurs after exposure to toxic substances. As a result, the walls belonging to the alveoli and capillaries are destroyed. This is how fluid enters the lung tissue.

When considering two forms of edema - alveolar and interstitial, the first poses the greatest danger, as it has negative consequences, including death. The second form is considered more gentle. She is treatable. But if you do not seek help in time, this form may worsen (become alveolar).

Reasons

When fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity, air exchange in the lung tissues is disrupted. Over time, a chain of other pathological processes appears, including the destruction of vascular walls.

Fluid collects in the lungs for the following reasons:

Liver disease, including cirrhosis.
Getting serious injuries breasts
In case of violation exchange substances in the body (during diabetes).
Bronchial asthma(its neglected form).
Consequences after surgery operations.
At inflammation lungs (tuberculosis, pleurisy).
Action toxic substances.
Consequences after progression malignant education. This occurs during the last stage of development.
Incorrect operation cardiovascular systems (after surgery, heart attack).
Disease progression brain

It is worth noting that pulmonary edema in older age may occur due to arrhythmia, as well as renal or heart failure.

As for the accumulation of fluid in newborns, this process occurs often, especially in premature babies (when the birth was carried out using Caesarean section). It is necessary to pump out excess water using special devices so that the child can survive.

Doctors believe that the normal thickness of the pleural fluid layer is 2 mm. When the indicator in question is exceeded, this means that edema is developing. The patient requires medical attention.

Symptoms

The picture of symptoms depends on the amount of fluid that has accumulated and on what disease caused the process.

Oxygen starvation

Lack of oxygen causes blue skin, as well as other consequences. A state of anxiety appears in patients.

Chest pain from below

Manifestations of pain in the lower chest intensify when coughing. If the disease bothers a small child, then after an attack he cries for a long time (with a hoarse tinge).

Intermittent cough

As the pathological process worsens, a peculiar intermittent cough occurs. During it, mucus is released. In parallel with the cough, dizziness, increased breathing, fainting, excitement of the nervous system, and temperature instability occur.

Attacks of shortness of breath that become more frequent over time

When the disease progresses slowly, difficulty breathing can appear unpredictably. Along with an attack of shortness of breath, weakness occurs.

The peculiarity is that the symptom can manifest itself in a calm state. If the swelling is large and affects two lungs, then the fluid inside the organ in question can cause suffocation.

During the accumulation of fluid, attacks of shortness of breath most often appear in the morning. They are also provoked by stress, heavy physical activity or regular hypothermia. If a person suffers from heart failure, then the state of suffocation may appear at night, for example, during a nightmare.

Diagnostics

If there is fluid in the lungs, the first person you need to contact is a pulmonologist. If necessary, the help of other specialists and doctors of other qualifications may be required.

The diagnostic program includes the following activities:

Analysis gases, included in the blood.
Carrying out biochemical blood test.
Fluorography.
Carrying out physical examination with the process of auscultation.
Related diseases and their influence.
Research using x-ray.
Carrying out biochemical blood composition analysis.
Level assessment coagulability blood.

Given the current signs, doctors may prescribe a certain number of additional diagnostic methods. Based on the data obtained during diagnosis, specialists prescribe treatment. It can be conservative or operative.

If fluid accumulation occurs in older people, then specialists try to conduct research more carefully in order to make a correct diagnosis. Ultrasound or other procedures may be added to the diagnostic methods discussed above.

Treatment

Removal of fluid from the lungs occurs only after a qualitative examination. At the very beginning, the patient is hospitalized. In the case when the volume of exudate is small, it can be removed with the help of medications.

Among the drugs that are often used in such situations are:

analgesics;
antibacterial medicines;
drugs to speed up elimination urine;
remedies against inflammation.

If drug therapy is ineffective, a catheter is used. Doctors may prescribe oxygen inhalation during pulmonary failure.

If the accumulation of fluid was caused by some kind of disease, then the first thing to do is to eliminate the source of the pathology so that serious complications do not appear.