Stable blood supply to the lungs provides the body with the necessary oxygen. Congestion in the lungs or hypostasis indicates that a failure has occurred, the blood flow is disturbed, and blood can enter the lungs through the capillaries. It is necessary to pay attention to alarming symptoms in time - this will allow the doctor to take timely action.
Causes of disease development
Before you panic and look for signs of a dangerous phenomenon, you need to figure out why there are congestion in the lungs. Doctors tend to divide the causes of pathology into congenital and acquired, which have developed under the influence of external factors and lifestyle characteristics.
Causes of the disease that appeared under the influence of congenital and acquired pathologies of the cardiovascular system:
- Atherosclerosis.
- Ischemic disease.
- Heart attack.
- Cardiomyopathy.
Such deviations in the functioning of the system affect the quality of blood flow throughout the body, which cannot pass without a trace for the lungs.
External causescongestion in the lungs:
- Fasing.
- Injuries to internal organs.
- Pathologies of the kidneys.
- Long stay in the highlands.
- Sedentary rhythm of life.
We must not forget that a failure in the pulmonary circulation affects the functioning of most internal organs, as they cease to receive oxygenated blood. Congestion in the lungs in the elderly is most common. This is due to the fact that their activity decreases due to age, and concomitant diseases exacerbate the picture.
Main symptoms
A vigilant attitude to one's own he alth helps a person to detect dangerous deviations from the norm in time. Do not neglect symptoms and ignore medical attention, this can lead to serious complications.
Symptoms of congestion in the lungs:
- Feeling like something is squeezing the chest.
- The nasolabial area becomes bluish.
- Inability to take a full breath.
- A crackling sound at the end of inhalation.
If you do not see a doctor for a long time, do not take measures to restore he alth, then shortness of breath will increase, it will become difficult for a person to even talk.
Congestion in the lungs in bedridden patients occurs quite often, so you should be vigilant about the quality of oxygen circulation in their blood. In the first stage, the disease is accompanied by cough andshortness of breath, in the later stages, the person begins to cough up blood and foam.
Correct diagnosis
If you suspect a lung pathology, it is important to consult a doctor in time for help. A competent specialist will diagnose and select the right treatment.
Measures for the diagnosis of congestion in the lungs are as follows:
- Taking an X-ray.
- Sputum composition analysis.
- Assessment of the state of the cardiovascular system.
- Urine analysis.
Congestion in the lungs on x-rays is clearly visible, the expansion of the pulmonary artery will not escape the attention of the doctor, and the specialist will also see an increase in capillary pressure above 20 mm Hg. st.
By bringing together the results of all examinations, the doctor will determine the stage of the pathology and ways to eliminate it, which will allow the person to return to he alth.
Treatment methods
Treatment of congestion in the lungs comes down to two options:
- Surgical intervention.
- Drug therapy.
Surgery is necessary in cases where the disease is caused by an aneurysm or heart disease. The main goal of any treatment is to eliminate the root cause of the disease, which allows you to eliminate its consequences, especially if you see a doctor in a timely manner.
When choosing medicines, you can’t act on your own, the right set of drugs should be selected by the doctor. Drug therapy includes a whole range of drugs, the ratio of whichdetermined by a specialist based on diagnostic results.
If pulmonary edema has become life-threatening, the patient is immediately hospitalized. In a hospital setting, fluid is pumped out of the lungs and the patient is allowed to breathe pure oxygen.
Elderly or bedridden patients who are particularly prone to the development of congestion in the lungs, physiotherapy is recommended. This will artificially maintain blood circulation in the lungs in good shape.
Traditional medicine
In some cases, the use of alternative medicine is allowed. However, do not rely only on herbs and decoctions. The use of traditional medicine is allowed only in combination with the main treatment, under the vigilant supervision of the attending physician.
Basic folk methods:
- Herbal treatment.
- Gymnastics.
- Massage.
Pulmonary gymnastics and massage are useful for bedridden patients and people with a sedentary lifestyle. It is recommended to change the position of the body more often, if it is forbidden to get out of bed, then you need to regularly take a sitting position (in the absence of contraindications).
Decoctions and infusions of herbs are used only after consulting a doctor. They should have an anti-inflammatory effect, as well as facilitate the process of expectoration. Among the popular ingredients are: linden, thyme, chamomile, viburnum, calendula, sage and others. It is important to make sure that there is no allergy to medicinal herbs and only then consider the possibility of theirmedical applications.
Disease prevention
Congestion and edema are body signals about the development of dangerous pathologies. Doctors recommend not letting alarming symptoms go by their own accord, undergoing examinations in a timely manner and carefully following the recommendations of specialists. Such a preventive measure is considered the main one for most diseases of the human body.
Other preventive measures include:
- Regular physical activity. It is necessary to avoid prolonged sitting or lying down, take walks, knead the muscles of the neck. Such measures can improve blood circulation in the body and reduce the risk of congestion.
- Be as careful as possible about yourself, avoid injury and dangerous situations, reduce stress in everyday life. Sudden changes in temperature also adversely affect the functioning of the lungs and heart.
- Cultivate the habit of eating right. Excess weight leads to the formation of additional edema, increases the load on the heart. Attention to your own he alth will keep it in good shape.
- Rejection of bad habits. Smoking and drinking alcohol lead to the destruction and malfunction of the body's systems.
Doctors recommend taking care of your own he alth issues at an early age, this will reduce the risk of developing dangerous pathologies in the future.
Consequences of the disease
Timely treatment of congestion in the lungs leads the patient to completerecovery, restoration of stable blood circulation and respiration. If a person ignores the symptoms for a long time, refuses medical help, then over time he will lose the ability to breathe on his own.
In the most advanced cases, death is possible. Edema fills the lungs so much that breathing becomes impossible.
Timely treatment is the key to recovery and return to a full quality life.
