Recognizing Wet Lung Disease and Its Causes
According to Pneumonia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition that occurs in the lungs, causing a buildup of fluid in the lung tissue. Usually, this condition occurs in diseases such as pneumonia due to a bacterial or viral infection. As a result, the air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid or pus.
Anyone can experience this problem, whether babies, children, adults to the elderly. In certain cases, the disease is not severe and can be cured quickly. However, this condition can sometimes be dangerous and have serious consequences for the sufferer, especially if treatment is not immediately carried out by a pulmonary specialist.
Causes of Wet Lungs
There are several things that can cause wet lungs. Generally, this condition is caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Infections caused by bacteria generally occur due to transmission from other people, but can also be due to prolonged use of a ventilator.
Infections caused by viruses generally occur in toddlers and are usually milder and can heal on their own even without treatment. However, in some special cases, there are also those that actually develop more severe.
Infections caused by fungi generally occur in people who do have problems with a weak immune system. It can also occur due to inhaling mold from the soil or bird droppings.
Wet Lung Symptoms
The sooner it is recognized, the sooner people with pneumonia will get treatment, thereby reducing the risk of the disease getting worse. Therefore, it is important to recognize the characteristics of wet lungs. Here are some of them:
- Dry cough or phlegm with yellow, brown, green, or reddish phlegm.
- My chest hurts and it hurts when I cough
- Breath feels tight and heavy, sometimes the breath becomes fast and sounds
- Fever, chills and sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Weak
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Heart pounding
Treating Wet Lungs
Wet lung disease requires treatment from a pulmonary specialist. If treated too late, this disease can get worse. Even the effects of wet lungs in the form of lung damage can also occur in sufferers.
Medication for pneumonia generally depends on the severity. If it's still in the early stages, the doctor may only give you antibiotics. However, if the X-ray results of wet lungs are very severe and respiratory failure occurs, then the patient will need a breathing apparatus and need to be treated in the ICU.
Some plants are believed to be a natural wet lung medicine. It can't cure completely, but at least it can reduce discomfort. Some of these plants include ginger, cayenne pepper, peppermint leaves, thyme, turmeric, and lemon.
Wet Lung Prevention
Wet lung disease can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. In addition, keep the environment clean, self, and always wear a mask when traveling. Another preventive measure that can be taken is by vaccination against pneumonia (PCV) and influenza.
If you or someone close to you shows some of the symptoms as above, immediately contact the doctor at RSIA HERMINA Mutiara Bunda Salatiga. Do not delay because if left unchecked, this problem can develop into more severe, even life threatening.