Pleurisy – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Pleurisy – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of this disease that affects more and more people around the world. Also, Pleurisy is known as pleura.
When you breathe in, the thin tissues that line your lungs and chest wall rub together. This is usually not a problem, because the fabric is satin and does not generate friction.
However, when this tissue is inflamed or infected, it becomes irritated and swollen , causing significant pain. This condition is known as Pleurisy or Pleuritis. Pleurisy has a dark reputation. Pleurisy caused the death of a number of historical figures, including Catherine de Medici and Benjamin Franklin. Pleurisy is no longer a common condition.
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Over the years, antibiotics have been extremely successful in treating and preventing the bacterial infections that have historically been the main causes of Pleurisy . Nowadays, most cases of Pleurisy are the result of a viral infection and deaths from this disease are quite rare. So, check now Pleurisy – What is it, Causes and Symptoms.
Pleurisy Cause: Viral infections are the most common cause of Pleurisy . Viruses can cause infections in the lungs , which can lead to Pleurisy .
Other Causes of Pleurisy Include:
- Bacterial pneumonia.
- bronchitis .
- tuberculosis.
- Wounds in the box.
- Rib fractures.
- Blunt trauma to the chest wall.
- Chest or lung tumors.
- Blood clots in the arteries of your lung, also called pulmonary embolism .
- Immune system disorders such as systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Sickle cell anemia.
- Pancreatitis, a condition where the pancreas is inflamed.
- Complications of cardiac surgery.
- Lung cancer .
- Lymphoma.
- Mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
- Fungal or parasitic infections.
Pleurisy Symptoms : The main symptom associated with Pleurisy is a sharp, stabbing pain when you breathe. This pain may go away when you hold your breath or put pressure on the painful area. However, the pain will usually get worse when you sneeze, cough, or move around. Fever , chills, and loss of appetite are also possible symptoms, depending on the condition causing the Pleurisy . Additional symptoms of Pleurisy include:
- Pain in one side of your chest.
- Pain in shoulders and back.
- Shallow breathing to avoid feeling pain.
- Headaches.
- Joint pain .
- muscle aches.
- shortness of breathe.
Pleurisy can be accompanied by a buildup of fluid that puts pressure on the lungs and causes them to stop working properly. This accumulation of fluid is called effusion Pleurisy . This fluid may initially act as a cushion, causing the chest pain to go away.
A person with Effusion Pleurisy will eventually experience shortness of breath when the fluid builds up. An individual may also experience fever, chills, and a dry cough . These symptoms may indicate an infection in the fluid, also called an empyema.
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Pleurisy Treatment: Once Pleurisy is detected, as well as its cause, the most appropriate treatment will be indicated. Although the treatment of Pleurisy depends on its cause, some possibilities are:
- Antibiotics, when the infection is bacterial.
- Medicines for pain and cough.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, to improve local inflammation .
- In addition, people who develop pleural effusion, in which fluid is produced to prevent friction in the pleura, may require hospitalization for drainage of this fluid.