How do you remove fluid from the lungs?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

MBBS
6+ Yrs

Consult Now

By a procedure called Thoracocenthesis

Dr. Dhankecha Suggests...

Consult a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

Find a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

Answered 04/07/2025

Ask Apollo

AI powered Health Chatbot

Continue Chat

Understanding Fluid in the Lungs
- Fluid in the lungs can indicate conditions like pulmonary edema or pleural effusion.
Medical Evaluation and Diagnosis
- Consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis using chest X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans.
Treatment Options for Removing Fluid
- Diuretics: Medications to eliminate excess fluid through urine.
- Thoracentesis: Draining fluid from the pleural space with a needle.
- Chest Tube Insertion: For continuous drainage in severe cases.
- Treating Underlying Causes: Manage heart failure, infections, or kidney issues.
Supportive Care and Monitoring
- Oxygen therapy if breathing is difficult.
- Monitor symptoms and follow-up care to prevent recurrence.
When to Seek Emergency Care
- Seek immediate help for severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or rapid breathing.

More Pulmonology/ Respiratory Medicine Health Queries

View all

I'm a bit worried because I've had this weird temperature fluctuation for the past four days. It's usually between 97-98 but sometimes hits 99, and I have a slight cough. I've been taking Calpol 650 twice daily, but it hasn't changed much. The last x-ray showed a patchy opacity in my left lung. Should I be concerned, or is this just normal? Any guidance would be appreciated.

Patient is advised tab augmentin 625 mg ,orally, thrice daily for 7 days, tab levocetrizine 10 mg bedtime for 5 days and syrup salbutamol 10 ml thrice dailly for 7 days .

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I recently had to get a medical check-up for my new job at a bank, and the chest X-ray report mentioned something about Right Pleural Thickening. I'm really not sure what that means. Should I be worried or take any specific action? Can you shed some light on what this could imply for my health?

Right pleural thickening, as seen on your chest X-ray, indicates scarring or inflammation of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs, which can be caused by various factors, such as past pneumonia, tuberculosis, asbestos exposure, or other lung diseases, and while it's often benign, your doctor may recommend further tests, like a CT scan or pulmonary function tests, to determine the underlying cause and assess any potential impact on your lung function or overall health

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors