What is pleurisy?
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura. The pleura are two-layered membranes (one around each lung) that both encloses the lung and lines the chest cavity. Pleurisy occurs when the layers of pleura get inflamed (red and swollen). If this results in a build up of fluid around the lungs, it is called “wet pleurisy”.
Causes of pleurisy
Pleurisy can arise from different causes and take different ways to develop, sometimes with excess fluid in the pleural cavity (“wet pleurisy”) and sometimes without (“dry pleurisy”), sometimes accompanied by no pain sometimes very painful. The most common cause of pleurisy is viral infection such as the flu or pneumonia.
There are two kinds of pleurisy. A “primary” pleurisy is an inflammation that happens in the pleural tissues themselves, from a germ that attacked them directly, or from an injury or growth.
A “secondary” pleurisy is caused by another chest disease including:
- pneumonia, in which the germs reach the pleura as well as the lungs themselves,
- tuberculosis,
- lung abscess
- lung cancer
- or almost anything wrong in the chest.
Symptoms of pleurisy
People with pleurisy may experience:
- pain: sharp stabbing pain in the chest, the chest pain may get worst when you breathe in deeply, cough or sneeze
- shallow and difficult breathing
- dry coughing
- weakness
- headache
- loss of appetite
- chills
- fever
- rapid heartbeat
These symptoms could be caused by pleurisy, or they could be caused by another disease; only a doctor can tell. If you have these symptoms, or if you think you have pleurisy, see your doctor right away.
Treating pleurisy
It is important to see a doctor if you think you have pleurisy
A pleurisy caused by a lung disease is treated, first of all, by identifying the underlying disease and giving whatever treatment is available for it.
Relieving symptoms
To limit the pain of pleurisy, limiting the movement of the lungs may be recommended by your doctor.
The doctor may suggest lying in a certain position on the sore side of your body. Your doctor may also prescribe medication for the pain.
Removing the air, liquid or blood from the pleural space
Your doctor may decide to remove the fluid trapped in the pleural cavity by drawing it out with a needle.
If there is a lot of blood, air or fluid your doctor may also put in a chest tube to remove the blood, air or fluids. This tube may be left in for a number of days.