What Is the Condition When the Lungs Have Water?

Pulmonary effusion, also known as lung fluid accumulation, refers to the accumulation of water outside the lungs. Generally speaking, this condition is often associated with infections, with pneumonia and tuberculosis being the most common examples, which may lead to pleural effusion. It can also be an autoimmune disease, such as lupus erythematosus. The presence of fluid in the lungs can lead to symptoms such as cough, sputum production, and chest pain. Let's take a closer look at these aspects.

Cough is the most common symptom associated with pulmonary effusion. In the early stages, the cough may be mild and dry, often presenting as a single cough, which may not significantly affect work or daily life. As the condition progresses, the cough may become more severe. When accompanied by endobronchial tuberculosis, the cough may intensify, sometimes leading to choking coughs. In patients with long-term illness who experience bronchial displacement or deformation due to adhesion or compression by surrounding lymph nodes, the cough may be triggered by impaired ventilation, resembling a choking cough due to food aspiration, and may even lead to difficulty breathing.

In the early stages of the disease, sputum production may not be significant, or may be present as a small amount of white mucus. However, as the condition progresses and cavities develop in the lungs, the amount of sputum may increase. When other pathogenic bacteria are involved, the amount of sputum may also increase, and yellowish purulent sputum may appear. Additionally, systemic symptoms such as fever and chills may accompany these changes.

Chest pain can also be a major symptom of pulmonary effusion, but it typically occurs when the condition affects the pleura, especially the parietal pleura. The parietal pleura refers to the lining of the chest wall and lungs as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Sometimes, there may be dull pain in variable locations, which is caused by nerve reflexes and unaffected by respiratory movements. If the pain is localized and stabbing, and worsened with breathing and coughing, it may indicate irritation of the pleura by inflammation. Some patients may also experience pain in the shoulder or upper abdomen, which is likely caused by irritation of the diaphragm through nerve reflexes.