Final answer:
Pulmonary edema is excess fluid in the air sacs of the lungs caused by heart and/or kidney failure. It can be cardiogenic or noncardiogenic, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pulmonary edema is excess fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, commonly caused by heart and/or kidney failure. When the left ventricle of the heart is unable to pump enough blood into the systemic circulation, fluids get backed up in the pulmonary capillaries, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure and the leakage of fluid into lung tissues.
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is caused by heart failure, while noncardiogenic pulmonary edema can result from various factors such as lung infections, toxins, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Treatment for pulmonary edema depends on the underlying cause. For cardiogenic pulmonary edema, treatments may include medications to reduce fluid buildup, such as diuretics and medications to improve heart function. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as antibiotics for lung infections or supportive measures like supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation for ARDS.