Monmouth County's Ask The Doctor July/August 2019

Do You Have Fluid In Your Lungs? FOUR Things You Should Look FoR By Lauren Kowlacki 1. Listen for raspy or rattled breathing. Especially if the rasp or rattle seems to be deep within the chest this can be a sign of fluid on a lung. 2. Pay attention to a persistent cough. Do not write off a persistent cough as mere allergies or something you have to deal with. A persistent cough, either productive or unproductive, could be a sign of fluid on the lung. 3. Do you have a fever, aches, and fatigue? These flu- like symptoms can also present themselves when a patient has fluid on the lung. When they do, it of- ten means that the patient has viral pneumonia, or is fighting an infection in the bronchial tubes and/or lungs. If the fever rises over 102 seek medical atten- tion immediately. 4. Do you have shortness of breath? For some patients the primary symptom of water on the lung is sim- ply shortness of breath. Fluid can gather around the lungs due to congestive heart failure, lung cancer, or viral or bacterial infection. When this happens shortness of breath can occur. Often an x-ray or an EKG will be ordered to test and see exactly what cavity the fluid is inhabiting. This will also help rule out any chance of advanced lung cancer. Get plenty of rest and avoid exposure to cold air while dealing with water on the lung. Drinking plenty of clear fluids is usually helpful for most causes of fluid on the lungs. Check with your physician to be sure.

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ASK THE DOCTOR

JULY/AUGUST 2019