Pulmonary Edema at 10x Magnification

Pulmonary edema is considered a medical emergency and individuals exhibiting symptoms of the condition should promptly seek medical care. Some of the most common symptoms of the condition include difficulty breathing, bubbling or grunting sounds when breathing, wheezing, cough, pallor or cyanosis (blue or purple coloring of the skin), sweating, swollen hands and ankles, anxiety, and restlessness. Some individuals with pulmonary edema may also cough up blood, experience decreased mental alertness, exhibit an increased heart rate, or be unable to speak due to air hunger. Listening to the chest of an individual with pulmonary edema with a stethoscope often reveals rales (crackling sounds) in the lungs and heart murmurs as well.