Acute Edema and Back Pain
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Acute Pulmonary Edema Can Lead To Severe Back Pain
P ulmonary Edema is resultant from Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), a condition in which the heart muscle is weak and unable to pump the normal amount of blood throughout the body, so the blood left in the heart begins to back up into the lungs. This is right sided heart failure.
Acute Pulmonary Edema causes severe back pain, specifically mid to upper back but can even include the lower back. Because the fluid backup is in the lungs, the normal oxygen exchange is hindered and people feel like they are smothering and they can't get enough air. And a common complaint is pain in the back over the area of the lungs.
There Are A Variety of Causes of Pulmonary Edema
There are many causes of Pulmonary Edema, it may arise from inhaling smoke, from having a heart attack, disease or inflammation of the heart muscle, fluid overload from IV therapy, heart valve disease, overdose of drugs, such as morphine, barbiturates, and heroin. Acute Pulmonary Edema also is caused by ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and Atherosclerosis, or narrowing artery and veins from plaque buildup and hardening.
The lack of effective heart pumping can cause stress to the chest. The patient will often hold his posture in an unnatural position trying to allow more space to help get more air in. this affects the spines structure and mobility. Overarching the back is where back pain starts
Major Anatomy of the Lungs

The Trachea is the wind pipe. When we choke and say it went down the wrong pipe. This is that pipe. The Alveoli are the little air sacs that are throughout the lungs that fill with air and life preserving oxygen.
Let's Take a Closer Look At Those Little Alveoli

P The Alveolus is a small air-containing compartment of the lungs. This is where the all important respiratory gases are exchanged with the pulmonary blood sources. The oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange is essential for life. You can see how dangerous it would be to have fluid build up in the alveoli hindering this gas exchange, and resulting in pulmonary edema.
A Little "light reading" :-) For Pulmonary Edema
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Edema
Early Diagnosing Pulmonary Edema Is Paramount And Life Saving
D iagnostic tools include X-Rays, Arterial Blood Gases, a blood test, and ECG or EKG, (electrocardiogram). Of course, Pulmonary edema can lead to major problems, such as Hypernatremia (low sodium), Digoxin Toxicity, Hypokalemia (low potassium), and of course excessive fluid in the lungs. Another deadly complication is Pulmonary Embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs, which is extremely painful in the chest and in the back. The extreme back pain is frequently assistive in making the diagnosis of pulmonary edema and pulmonary embolism.
Symptoms:
Edema may present in the lower extremities, fatigue, coughing, jugular vein distention, heart murmurs, Shortness of breath, low blood pressure, fast heart rate. And of course, severe back pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please see your physician immediately.
Comparison of Normal and Abnormal

Treatment of Pulmonary Edema Should Begin Immediately
When acute pulmonary edema is present, experts will often restrict fluid intake, while administering I.V. fluids to substitute. Oxygen and medications are prescribed to strengthen the cardiac pump and help oxygenate the blood that is being pumped around. . Often the doctor will request that the patient remain consistent in a upright position, such as "High Fowlers." to also help with better aeration and reduce the feeling of drowning.
Since pulmonary edema causes excessive fluid buildup, isometric exercises, and bed rest is required. Isometric workouts is the process of pushing muscles next to a sturdy surface, whereas the muscles are put under tension, yet restricted from contractions. The exercises are recommended in a variety of medical treatments when back pain is involved.
What People Are Saying About Pulmonary Edema
- Deaths/causes | PUBLIC RECORDS | Dec. 31 to Feb. 7
- 3; cardiogenic shock with acute pulmonary edema, severe pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure Braden, Robert; 33, Harrisburg, Ill., Jan. 28; coroner ? anoxic brain injury, strangulation, hanging Bryant, Rebecca; 65, Evansville, Feb.
- Wellness may come in a bag
- It's used to treat the effects of acute mountain sickness or potentially fatal high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. On the mountain, where it's inflated by a foot pump, the bag simulates a descent of 3200 to 9700 feet in ...
- Rabbi Elyashiv's condition deteriorates
- Doctors instruct leader of Lithuanian Orthodox public not to leave his home due to pulmonary edema. Rabbi's aides confirm he is in need of 'God's mercy' Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv's condition continues to deteriorate: The leader of the Lithuanian ...
- Phuket News - Dozens in hospital after toxic Phuket gas leak
- Severe exposures may also result in noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs which can lead to respiratory failure), which may be delayed for several hours after exposure. The Phuket News - Dozens in hospital after toxic Phuket ...
Some Help for Problems With Back Pain
The Lungs Are Not Supposed To Have Fluid In Them

An Excellent Demonstration of What Pulmonary Edema is Like
Only a Minute Long, Have a Look.
Simple Back Pain May Turn Out Not To Be So Simple
Make Sure Of The Cause Of Your Back Pain, Don't Assume!
P Pulmonary edema also affects the joints, cartilages, muscles etc, which can cause tenderness, ulcers of the legs, changes of stasis, and so forth. To learn more about pulmonary edema and back pain consider tendons, ligaments, disks, joints, connective tissues, neurological disorders, and so on.
Back pain has affected millions of people, yet the leading causes emerge from nerve and musculoskeletal disorders. Still, many diseases and disorders can cause back pain, including pulmonary edema. In fact, when doctors discover musculoskeletal and nerve disorders, they often link one of the potential causes to pulmonary edema.
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Thanks for Stopping By
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gonzalezdenise Feb 16, 2012 @ 7:12 am | delete
- Thanks, great lens. It is very informative.
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jasmineann Jan 9, 2012 @ 1:59 pm | delete
- Another excellent page Nightbear. Wonderful resource presented in an easily understood way.
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sbkris
Dec 18, 2011 @ 8:18 am | delete
- After a year of hospitals and Dr's and trying to help my husband's mom with the many symptoms of CHF and COPD it is such a relief to find the answer to why she has been suffering such severe back pain. Thanks so much for the great info. It is greatly appreciated!
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SquidooFlowers
Sep 28, 2011 @ 1:32 pm | delete
- You give us an excellent tutorial on acute edema and back pain. Thanks for sharing your medical knowledge and experience with us.
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poddys
Jul 16, 2011 @ 11:30 am | delete
- What an excellent resource Susan. This is a horrible condition that is so often hard to diagnose. I came, I digested, I left a blessing behind.
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Cajean Jan 10, 2011 @ 10:05 pm | delete
- I lost my sweet dad in August 2010 from CHF at 90. He didn't have chest pain, but grew weaker over the past two years since he was diagnosed. His EF was about 10% near the end. However, he DID have chronic back pain which doctors couldn't figure out. He endured so-o many needless tests; if they'd only known this link to CHF. Thank you for doing great research and sharing it with us.
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Tipi
Jan 6, 2011 @ 8:50 am | delete
- My goodness this is very informative. I need to strength my back, I spend way too much time sitting at the computer working. It will be good for me once I move back into the country and have a yard to take care of.
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nightbear
Jan 6, 2011 @ 9:28 pm | delete
- How fun for you getting to move to the country. I hope you enjoy your new life. thanks for visiting.
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JaguarJulie
Aug 9, 2009 @ 8:22 am | delete
- This is a really interesting topic -- I don't think I would have thought to ever associate back pain with pulmonary edema.
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ArtByLinda Jan 24, 2009 @ 10:08 am | delete
- Important messages for everyone, the health and strength of your back is so important. Take it from someone who has had two back surgeries and counts her blessings after the second that I am now almost completely pain free. The normal aches of age are there, but nothing like I had! Beautiful colors on this lens, perfectly done. Why aren't you a Giant Squid yet, your lenses are beautiful!
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debnet
Jan 20, 2009 @ 11:22 am | delete
- Great informative lens. My middle child was extended breach and born by emergency c section. I was told at the time 'she was drowning in her own fluid'. Luckily for us, she was treated and cared for by superb staff at the scbu. I had no idea she may have been in pain whilst she was in her incubator :(
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AndyPo
Jan 20, 2009 @ 7:05 am | delete
- Another very useful lens
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mulberry
Jan 19, 2009 @ 7:52 pm | delete
- Great information, I always learn things from reading your work. Thanks!
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topstuff
Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:44 pm | delete
- Yet another fantastic lens with so much great information, well done, 5 stars
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Pantherart Jan 18, 2009 @ 8:40 pm | delete
- Nice lens lots of good information here 5 stars
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