Understanding Pulmonary Embolism

For those of you who may not be familiar with the terms pulmonary and embolism, let me explain without rattling the brain. Pulmonary is another term for the lung and embolism refers to a sudden blockage (blood clot) of a major artery. If you put both terms together, you have a serious blood clot in the lung that can cause major problems, becoming fatal if not treatment immediately.

Usually, Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is caused when a blood clot in a vein from one area of the body travels rapidly to the lung. When this occurs, symptoms may include difficulty in breathing and sudden sharp pains to the chest. Doctors and victims of (PE) have also stated that symptoms can also include breaking out in sweats, blackouts, and a cough that brings up foamy mucus.

There are many causes to Pulmonary Embolism. Basically, anything that causes blood clots can lead to PE. Other causes can include smoking, pregnancy and childbirth, diseases associated with the major organs, infections, using birth control or hormone growth medicine, and long inactivity. The risk also become greater based on age and weight.

Pulmonary Embolism can be hard to locate because many of the symptoms can be associated with other diseases associated with the lungs and heart. It is important visit the doctor regularly to determine blood clots and the potential for future problems. Recently, I had pleural effusion (fluid) in the lungs and a chest x-ray and CT scan was used to determine if there were any other problems associated with the lung. If PE is suspected, a CT scan, MRI, or EKG may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.