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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Presence Of Fluid In The Lungs?

my father in law has been in the hospital over a week. They have limited his intake, he has fluid on his lungs and they have him on a diuretic, a steroid and benedryl to dry him out. But it keep accumulating. They are talking about a pacemaker since his heartbeat is irratic. They feel the heart is allowing fluid to build up in the body because it doesnt beat hard enough the bottom half beats twice for each time the top half beats, so I understand. They also think he may have asthma. Can you develop asthma at age 74?
Fri, 14 Dec 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Asthma is not a common condition at 74 years old but probably what the doctors are talking about is cardiac asthma. This is a condition where the patient develops symptoms similar to asthma like short of breath and chest tightness but the origin is not the lungs but the heart. In this case because the heart is not effectively pumping all the blood that comes from the lungs to the rest of the cardiovascular system (aorta and further), these fluids collect in the lungs causing symptoms similar to asthma and is called cardiac asthma.

I hope I have answered to your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards,

Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
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What Causes Presence Of Fluid In The Lungs?

Hello, Asthma is not a common condition at 74 years old but probably what the doctors are talking about is cardiac asthma. This is a condition where the patient develops symptoms similar to asthma like short of breath and chest tightness but the origin is not the lungs but the heart. In this case because the heart is not effectively pumping all the blood that comes from the lungs to the rest of the cardiovascular system (aorta and further), these fluids collect in the lungs causing symptoms similar to asthma and is called cardiac asthma. I hope I have answered to your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind regards, Antoneta Zotaj General & Family Physician