The question/task is below:
Briefly discuss causes and treatment of pulmonary edema.
Answer:
Pulmonary edema is characteristically caused by left heart failure, ischemic disease of the heart, acute myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack), aortic mitral valve disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, fluid overload, arrhythmias, endocarditis, myocarditis, congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, septal defects, shock, trauma, infection, sepsis, pneumonia, pulmonary obstruction, embolism and pancreatitis. Treatment of pulmonary edema consists of treating the underlying condition or cause of pulmonary edema. Other treatment measures include having the patient sit up and allow the legs to dangle, the use of oxygen, rotating tourniquets, mechanical ventilation that may include a ventilator with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). Low sodium diet, bedrest, fluid restriction, and education on the disease process are all part of treatment of pulmonary edema. Medications utilized to treat pulmonary edema include morphine sulfate, furosemide, nitroglycerin, and angiotensin converting enzymes. Patients who experience pulmonary edema on a chronic basis are often treated with digoxin, beta-blockers, and isosorbide dinitrates.
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