An embolism is a blockage of an artery. The blocked artery can be caused by a blood clot or even an air bubble. When an artery is completely or partially blocked off it prevents the tissues and organs from receiving the oxygen it needs to function normally. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. Usually more than one artery is blocked off. Some symptoms of a pulmonary embolism includes a sharp or stabbing pain. If the patients says that they feel pressure rather than a stabbing pain it may be something else like a broken rib poking a lung. The sharp/stabbing pain gets worse with each breath and every time the patient exerts themselves. The pain should not go way when the patient is resting. Another symptom may include a cough along with bloody or pink-ish sputum. Cyanosis is a tell-tale sign anytime the lungs are not functioning correctly for a period of time, but it may be appear faster when the patient has a pulmonary emboli. A symptom that may show that the emboli has been present for …show more content…
Treatment of a pulmonary emboli depends on certain factors. Doctors need to know what caused the blockage, the size of the blockage, and where the blockage is in the body. There are surgeries, such as an embolectomy, that can remove the block. The doctor will cut the artery that has the block and suck it out. There are also medications that can dissolve the block or aspirin that can make the block less sticky. Emboli that are caused by air bubbles are treated with a hyperbaric chamber. Pulmonary are not always preventable but there are certain lifestyle changes a person can do to decrease their chances. Some things a person can do to decreased their chances are having a healthy balanced diet, limiting the amount of salt intake, lose weight, stop smoking, and