What is pulmonary edema?

Pulmonary edema refers specifically to the accumulation of fluid in the air sacs (alveoli) and bronchioles of the lungs. This fluid build-up can interfere with the lungs' ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide effectively, leading to respiratory difficulties.

When the alveoli are filled with fluid, the process of inhaling oxygen from the air into the bloodstream is hindered, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and a feeling of suffocation. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including heart problems (where increased pressure in the heart can lead to fluid leaking into the lungs), but the defining characteristic of pulmonary edema is the presence of fluid within the lung tissue itself.

The other options describe different medical conditions. Fluid buildup around the heart pertains to pericardial effusion, bacterial infections in the lungs refer to pneumonia or other infective processes, and blockages in the pulmonary arteries relate to pulmonary embolism. Each of these conditions affects different anatomical structures or systems, emphasizing that pulmonary edema is specifically associated with fluid in the alveolar spaces of the lungs.