If a senior citizen gets fluid in their lungs, it can turn severe very quickly. Your elderly loved one could feel as if they are drowning from this health problem. It can be scary and it does need to be addressed by medical professionals right away. As a family caregiver, it is important to learn all you can about the elderly and having fluid in the lungs.
Common Causes of Fluid in the Lungs
There are many elderly people who end up with fluid in their lungs. It is vital to learn what can cause fluid to build up in their lungs. Some common causes for this health problem include:
- Kidney disease
- Respiratory issues
- Coronary heart disease
- Toxin exposure
- Side effects from medications
- Brain trauma
- Sepsis
- Pneumonia
Knowing what can cause fluid to build up in the lungs can help you to prevent it. Of course, some of these issues are not preventable. However, preventing what you can for your elderly loved one, such as with toxin exposure, is a good start.
Recognizing the Symptoms
It is also extremely important to know what symptoms are associated with having fluid in the lungs. As previously mentioned, it is vital that your elderly loved one gets immediate medical attention if they do have fluid in their lungs. Recognizing the symptoms can ensure that you or a senior home care provider gets your elderly loved one the medical attention they need.
Some symptoms of fluid in the lungs include:
- Anxiety
- Feeling suffocated
- Being short of breath (worse when laying down)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Confusion
- Being restless
- Blue-gray skin
- Cold/clammy skin
- Wheezing
- Leg swelling
- Unexplained weight gain
- Fatigue
If any of these symptoms are present in your elderly loved one, make sure you or an elder care provider take them to see a doctor promptly. Once they get to the hospital, tests can be done to determine if this is what is happening. They may need hospitalization and future home care services.
Conclusion
For some elderly people, there is a good prognosis for this health problem, if they receive medical attention soon enough. However, it is important to know that without treatment, this condition will get worse. Make sure that if you or a senior home care provider suspect your elderly loved one has fluid in their lungs, that they get immediate medical attention. They may need to be hospitalized for a while. However, that could help to save their life.
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/pulmonary-edema
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING SENIOR HOME CARE IN PALMETTO, FL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS OF BRADENTON. CALL TODAY: (941) 499-5946
