| Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is an inflammation of | | | | Pulmonary embolism: blood clot inside the blood |
| the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the | | | | vessels to the lungs. These clots sometimes severely |
| lungs, which can cause painful respiration (also called | | | | reduce blood and oxygen to portions of the lung and |
| pleuritic chest pain) and other symptoms. Pleurisy can | | | | can result in death to that portion of lung tissue |
| be generated by a variety of infectious and | | | | (termed lung infarction). This, too, can cause pleurisy. |
| non-infectious causes. The effects of pleurisy can | | | | Trauma: rib fractures or irritation from chest tubes |
| often be felt long after the condition has gone away. | | | | used to drain air or fluid from the pleural cavity in the |
| Pleurisy, also called pleuritis, is an inflammation of the | | | | chest |
| pleura, which is the moist, double-layered membrane | | | | Pneumonia, in those cases in which the infected portion |
| that surrounds the lungs and lines the rib cage. The | | | | of the lung involves the pleural surface |
| condition can make breathing extremely painful. | | | | Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid |
| Sometimes it is associated with another condition | | | | arthritis and autoimmune hepatitis |
| called pleural effusion, where excess fluid fills the area | | | | Treatment of Pleurisy |
| between the membrane's layers. | | | | The most important goal in relieving pleurisy or pleural |
| The outer layer of the pleura lines the inside of the | | | | effusion is treatment of the underlying condition that's |
| chest wall, and the inner layer covers the lungs. The | | | | causing your signs and symptoms. For example, if the |
| tiny space between the two layers is called the pleural | | | | cause of pleurisy is a bacterial infection of your lung |
| cavity. This cavity normally contains a small amount of | | | | (pneumonia), an antibiotic may control the infection. But, |
| lubricating fluid that allows the two layers to slide over | | | | for pleurisy due to a viral infection, antibiotics won't be |
| each other when you breathe. | | | | effective. Most viral infections run their course without |
| Signs and symptoms | | | | treatment. |
| When an accumulation of fluids (pleural effusion) is | | | | When larger amounts of fluid must be removed, a |
| associated with pleurisy, the pain usually disappears | | | | chest tube may be inserted through your chest wall. |
| because the fluid serves as a lubricant. However, if | | | | The doctor injects a local painkiller into the area of |
| enough fluid accumulates, it puts pressure on your | | | | your chest wall outside where the fluid is. He or she will |
| lungs and interferes with their normal function, causing | | | | then insert a plastic tube into your chest between two |
| shortness of breath. If the fluid becomes infected, the | | | | ribs. The tube is connected to a box that suctions the |
| signs and symptoms of dry cough, fever and chills | | | | fluid out. A chest x ray is taken to check the tube's |
| may appear. An infected pleural effusion is called an | | | | position. |
| empyema. | | | | Treating the source |
| Chest pain: This is the most common symptom. The | | | | The treatment used to cure pleurisy is ultimately |
| pain is generally a sharp, stabbing pain, but may also be | | | | defined by the underlying cause. Thus, pleurisy from a |
| a dull ache or a burning sensation. It is usually worse | | | | bacterial infection can be successfully treated with |
| when you take a deep breath, cough, or move around. | | | | antibiotics, while no treatment is given for viral |
| The pain is usually better if you take shallow breaths | | | | infections that must run their course. Specific therapies |
| or lie on the side that hurts. Chest pain is what usually | | | | designed for more chronic illnesses can often cause |
| causes people with pleurisy to seek medical attention. | | | | pleurisy to subside. |
| Causes of Pleurisy | | | | |