When an elderly loved one develops fluid in their lungs, it can be a frightening experience. As they take each breath, fluid enters the lungs instead of the air, causing them to struggle with breathing. This situation concerns seniors and caregivers, making it essential to know how to respond effectively if seniors have fluid in their lungs.

This guide goes through the causes, symptoms, and important first steps caregivers can take to ensure comfort and safety for their aging loved one.

What causes fluid in a senior’s lungs?

The excess fluid inside the lungs is known by the medical term pulmonary edema, which means the buildup of fluid in the lungs. The causes of pulmonary edema may be any one of several. The condition is either heart-related (cardiogenic) or not heart-related (non-cardiogenic).

• Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: Fluid backing up into the lungs may be caused by a heart-related problem. The most common cause is congestive heart failure. Specifically in cardiogenic conditions, the left side of the heart fails to pump blood effectively, causing blood to back up into the lung’s blood vessels and push fluid into the lung’s air sacs. Heart conditions such as heart attacks, weakened heart muscles, valve issues, high blood pressure, and arrhythmias are frequent contributors to this type of edema.
• Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: Commonly known as adult respiratory distress syndrome, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema is caused by issues that do not involve the heart. In these cases, blood vessels in the lungs become inflamed or injured due to conditions like pneumonia, sepsis, pancreatitis, or even physical trauma, causing them to leak fluid into the lungs.

How is fluid in the lungs prevented?

Seniors who have a high risk of developing fluid in the lungs should take preventive measures, and caregivers can provide the necessary help. Caregivers should provide medication reminders to ensure seniors take medications as directed, especially if aging adults suffer from a heart condition.

24-Hour Home Care Services by Assisting Hands Home Care

At Assisting Hands, we provide home care to ensure older adults have ongoing support at home. Our professional caregivers are dedicated to meeting all nonmedical care needs.

Responsibilities our caregivers perform include assistance with personal hygiene tasks, meal preparation, transportation to doctors’ offices or for errands, light housekeeping, and companionship. We remain in the home with the care recipient and respond immediately to emergencies. A benefit is that our caregivers are trained in CPR and First Aid.

Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care for the compassionate care we deliver and the dependability of our experienced caregivers. Choose us when you are looking for reliable senior care for your elderly loved one. Our team proudly serves Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, North Port, Venice, FL, and the surrounding areas. Call today at (813) 868-6782 to schedule a consultation.