Pulmonary edema is a critical condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, causing leakage from blood vessels into air sacs normally filled with air for oxygen exchange. This accumulation impedes breathing and reduces oxygen transfer into the bloodstream.
Michael Arterburn, who goes by @killer_bee_tactical on Instagram, highlighted the dangers of pulmonary edema in a post on May 10. He referenced the tragic case of Ray Johnson, a 64-year-old from Michigan who allegedly developed the condition and died in February 2022 after snorkeling in Maui.
Although officially ruled a drowning, Johnson’s lawyers argue he succumbed to rapid onset pulmonary edema—a severe variant where the lungs fill rapidly with fluid, compromising oxygen delivery and leading to hypoxia, Fox News reported.
What causes pulmonary edema?
Per Healthline, pulmonary edema can manifest suddenly or develop gradually, with its presentation varying depending on the underlying cause. Congestive heart failure stands as a frequent instigator of this condition and can occur when the heart fails to effectively circulate blood, leading to elevated pressure in the lungs’ small blood vessels and subsequent fluid leakage. Normally, the lungs absorb oxygen from inhaled air into the bloodstream, but when fluid accumulates, this vital exchange falters, depriving the body of essential oxygen.
Additional contributing medical conditions encompass heart attacks, valve disorders, cardiomyopathy, irregular heart rhythms, sudden hypertension, pneumonia, renal failure and severe infections like sepsis. Factors such as higher rates of certain chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease may increase the risk of developing conditions like pulmonary edema in Black people.
As highlighted in Arterburn’s video, in the case of Johnson, investigators believe that high-altitude exposure played a role in his fatal rapid-onset pulmonary edema.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can strike adults and children alike during high-altitude travel or within individuals who engage in vigorous exercise at great heights, Arterburn mentioned. Its symptoms resemble those of acute pulmonary edema, including headaches followed by increasing breathlessness, initially with exertion and then even at rest. Reduced stamina is noticeable, accompanied by a dry cough that may transition to a productive cough producing frothy sputum, sometimes tinged pink or streaked with blood as the condition progresses.
Johnson’s legal representatives believe his death might have been avoidable if he had waited three days after flying before snorkeling, allowing his lungs to acclimate. Studies show that tourists typically endure at least five hours of flight time to reach Hawaii, where airplane cabins are pressurized to altitudes equivalent to up to 8,500 feet. This pressurization can impact lung membrane permeability, potentially increasing the risk of conditions like rapid onset pulmonary edema, Fox News noted.
Additionally, the swimmer’s horizontal stance in the water coupled with the constriction of their snorkel tube imposes resistance that can hamper the flow of oxygen. Swimming itself demands considerable physical effort which can also increase risk.
If you’re flying to a tropical destination this summer, it’s advisable to wait a few days before participating in water activities. Be vigilant for symptoms of pulmonary edema, such as:
- Shortness of breath during physical exertion
- Difficulty breathing while lying down
- Wheezing
- Waking up at night feeling breathless, relieved upon sitting up
- Sudden weight gain, particularly in the legs
- Swelling (edema) in the lower body
- Fatigue
RELATED CONTENT: How Heart Attack Symptoms Show Up Differently In Women
Most Popular
Comments / 0