What Causes Fluid In Lungs?

Posted on Fri, 21 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : When XXXXXXX was in hospital lung Dr. wanted to surgically take a sample of fluid. I looked it up and found surgery to be unwarranted as his breathing wasn't inhibited nor did he have an infection. His body absorbed fluid in 24 hours and I'm glad we chose not to operate. Will your Dr.'s look up info like this to assist in medical decisions? It'd be nice not to have to do this myself, but with hospital mishaps on inpatients being the 3rd leading cause of death in the US it is necessary.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Hi and welcome to HCm Detailed Answer: Thanks for the query. it is hard to comment this particular case without more detailed documenatation. I dont think that doctors would do any invasive procedure without clear indications for it. Fluid in lungs is not normal and it can be caused by various conditions and some of them are serious and require further diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures especially if there is suspect of malignancy. Although,most commonly this is caused by heart diseases or pneumonias. In these cases, liquid evacuations(pleural punction) is a routine procedure which can be usefuly for diagnostic purposes but also it will cause easier breathing and prevent certain complications. Of course,if there is small amoount of fluid,it can be resorbed spontaneously. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (7 minutes later)

They couldn't go in with needle because of blood veins. I submitted a question earlier and may have to get a smart phone just to use your services. With Dan's age I am VERY careful and stay night and day with him when he's hospitalized. I have cared for 6 people and find that if they cause harm in hospitals my wards and myself pay the consequences. It is easier to do a week in the hospital than months of rehabilitation. Can I send charts for you to look over in the future with medical problems as they arise to get a second opinion? I'm hoping to be able to do this instead of have to go in for second appointment.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: hi Detailed Answer: I dont see another questions but this first one. I dont think that needle punction can be contraindicated and open surgical procedure for fluid sample is not justified especially in his age. You probably misunderstood doctors and I am sure that they dont harm patients.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (13 minutes later)

I don't think they intend to, but they do. My husband was almost killed when he had a hip replacement and they drowned him with IV fluids even while I protested. He crashed and was in ICU because they put 8 bags of IV fluids in and got 1/3 bag of urine out. Then they got his INR down to 6.7 and you can bleed to death in your organs at that rate. The staff was sick and my husband caught it. He was in 17 days and did much better once I got him home. I don't XXXXXXX I haven't even ever written XXXXXXX as I think to err is human. I fired Dr. with what I perceived to be god complex and now have a Dr. who is willing to listen and explain now. The report at this link is very informative and proves my point https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/781687/john-james-a-new-evidence-based-estimate-of.pdf . I would like to know if you give second opinions if I send reports for future reference. I can always check mayo clinic site, but in emergencies time is important.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (44 hours later)

Brief Answer: hi Detailed Answer: I understand your concerns. These things that you ve mentioned are huge oversights if true. There must be reasonable explanation for such professional mistakes,especially in medical institutions in developed countries. Mistakes are always possible,but it should be investigated and further ones must be prevented. YOu can send any question here and specialist can answer in short time. If we see that you need immediate answer, it will be answered in 10-20 minutes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

I appreciate Dr. XXXXXXX Romic willingness to address the issues I've had in past and for foresee in future. It's hard to address shortcomings in any situation. We even had a heart surgeon argue with us about getting a heart bypass, finally after the 3rd time I told him we had a hip replacement and aren't getting a heart bypass I told him he must be looking for the Sheats down the hall who spell their name different. I now take a air mattress and stay with my husband, insisting the Dr.'s and staff listen to us and utilizing our right to refuse treatments. Dr. Romic took the time to review my issues and address them. I will be using your service as I find it invaluable as a pro active care giver and I will recommend it to others.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (20 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hi Detailed Answer: I am glad you are satisfied with our service. We are here to explain and we give our best to offer valuable advice. Unlike many doctors, our answers will be true no matter how hard it is to hear. We can tell you if our colleagues are doing mistakes,but also we can explain if you misunderstood anything.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar