If you have a bacterial infection that causes pulmonary congestion, or congestion in your lungs, then you may have difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Your breathing problems may also trigger anxiety and panic attacks when you are unable to take satisfying breaths. If you experience pulmonary congestion as a result of a bacterial infection, visit a hospital or urgent care center as soon as possible. Here are some interventions the urgent care center staff may implement to help relieve your symptoms.
Nebulizer Breathing Treatments
When you have pulmonary congestion caused by a bacterial infection, your lungs may be filled with thick mucus that is difficult to expel when coughing. Because of this, the physician at the urgent care center may administer mucolytic medications through a nebulizer. Mucolytic medications are those used to thin viscous mucus so that it can be easily expelled when you cough.
The mucolytic medication will be instilled into the nebulizer, which will deliver the medication to your lungs via a steam inhalation process. Once the mucus congestion in your lungs has been cleared, a better pattern of breathing will be established. Before you go home, the urgent care physician may give you a prescription for additional nebulizer medications or they may simply recommend that you take an over-the-counter mucolytic medication.
Oxygen Therapy
You may also receive oxygen therapy, either through a face mask or a pronged nasal canula when you arrive at the urgent care facility with complaints of pulmonary congestion Oxygen will help relieve your shortness of breath and accompanying anxiety. It will also help prevent dips in your oxygen saturation rate. When oxygen saturation rates get too low, you may experience dizziness, increased shortness of breath, high blood pressure, chest pain, and blue-tinged lips and nailbeds.
While you are receiving your oxygen, the doctor or nurse may attach a small clip to your finger. This clip is called a pulse oximeter, a medical device for assessing blood oxygen saturation levels. The physician may recommend purchasing a pulse oximeter so that you can monitor your oxygen saturation rates while you are recovering from your bacterial infection. You will also be sent home with a prescription for antibiotics for your bacterial lung infection. Once your lung infection has cleared, your pulmonary congestion and shortness of breath will resolve as well.
If you have a bacterial lung infection, seek medical treatment from an urgent care facility as soon as possible. When treatment is implemented quickly, the duration of your infection may be shorter and its severity, milder.
Share16 February 2021
A few years ago, I experienced a huge health scare with my blood pressure. My doctor at the time didn't offer evening or late night care, which forced me to visit the local emergency room for help. Although it may seem like a small thing to some people, not having access to my doctor when I needed it really bothered me. It bothered me so much that I searched for a new doctor after my child was born. Now, I'm happy with my family's new physician. The doctor offers after-hour care, which is a wonderful thing for us. My blog offers tips on how to find the right doctor for your family, as well as many other services you might need one day. So, please read through the blog for the information you need now.