For large pleural effusions, or for those with an unknown cause, the fluid will need to be drained through a procedure called thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle in the space between the lung and the chest wall and draining the liquid.
Pulmonary oedema
Or they might mean you have fluid actually collecting inside the lung. This is called pulmonary oedema. It is not usually possible to have this fluid drained. Pulmonary oedema is usually caused by heart problems.
Pulmonary edema is a condition caused by too much fluid in the lungs. This fluid collects in the many air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. In most cases, heart problems cause pulmonary edema.
Vicks products cannot cure the cold or flu, but they can help relieve chest congestion symptoms so you can feel better while your body heals from the cold or flu virus. When you have chest congestion symptoms, the mucus build-up in your lungs can become very thick and dense.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps to thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus.
Excess fluid in the pleural space is called pleural effusion. When this happens, it's harder to breathe because the lungs can't inflate fully. This can cause shortness of breath and pain. These symptoms may be worse with physical activity.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common cause of pulmonary edema. Heart failure happens when the heart can no longer pump blood properly throughout the body. This creates a backup of pressure in the small blood vessels in the lungs, which causes the vessels to leak fluid.
Thoracentesis can be done in a doctor's office or in a hospital. It's typically performed while you're awake, but you may be sedated. You'll need someone else to help you get home after the procedure if you're sedated.
Your provider may ask you not to move or to hold your breath at different points during the procedure. You may feel pressure or discomfort while they take fluid out, but it shouldn't be painful. Tell your provider if you have chest pains or feel short of breath or faint.
You may need a chest drain if you have any of the following conditions: Bleeding around your lung due to recent trauma (eg car accident) Collapsed lung – called a pneumothorax. Fluid build up due to a condition such as cancer or pneumonia - called a pleural effusion.
Pleurodesis. Your doctor injects an irritating substance (such as talc or doxycycline) through a chest tube into the pleural space. The substance inflames the pleura and chest wall, which then bind tightly to each other as they heal. Pleurodesis can prevent pleural effusions from coming back in many cases.
Bronchoscopy can also be used to obtain samples of mucus or tissue, to remove foreign bodies or other blockages from the airways or lungs, or to provide treatment for lung problems.
Vicks VapoRub — a topical ointment made of ingredients including camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol that you rub on your throat and chest — doesn't relieve nasal congestion. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose.
Using Vicks VapoRub on your feet or other areas of your body has a cooling effect. This is mainly because of the camphor and menthol. The cooling sensation of the vapor rub may be pleasing and temporarily help you feel better. But it doesn't actually reduce body temperature or fevers.
Vicks is your friend:
Not only is it antiviral (most chest coughs are viral infections), but it relieves your cough and loosens up mucus.
As long as the drainage bottle or bag is kept lower than your chest, the fluid drains out automatically. If there is a lot of fluid, this can take several hours. It has to be done slowly, because draining a large amount of fluid too quickly can make your blood pressure drop suddenly making you feel faint.
Excess fluid in the pleural space is called pleural effusion. When this happens, it's harder to breathe because the lungs can't inflate fully. This can cause shortness of breath and pain. These symptoms may be worse with physical activity.
Thoracentesis can be done in a doctor's office or in a hospital. It's typically performed while you're awake, but you may be sedated. You'll need someone else to help you get home after the procedure if you're sedated.
In most cases, heart problems cause pulmonary edema. But fluid can collect in the lungs for other reasons. These include pneumonia, contact with certain toxins, medications, trauma to the chest wall, and traveling to or exercising at high elevations.
Your provider may ask you not to move or to hold your breath at different points during the procedure. You may feel pressure or discomfort while they take fluid out, but it shouldn't be painful. Tell your provider if you have chest pains or feel short of breath or faint.
Pleurodesis. Your doctor injects an irritating substance (such as talc or doxycycline) through a chest tube into the pleural space. The substance inflames the pleura and chest wall, which then bind tightly to each other as they heal. Pleurodesis can prevent pleural effusions from coming back in many cases.