Causes And Symptoms Of Pleurisy. Types Of Treatment

Pleurisy is also called pleurisy. Both terms refer to the same problem: inflammation of the membrane called the pleura. Today we will detail the causes and symptoms of pleurisy and how it can be treated.

The pleura is a thin membrane that covers the lungs, separating them from the chest wall. In fact, it has two layers: the first adheres to the lungs and the second adheres to the chest wall.

There is a tiny space between the two layers. This space is considered to be a “potential” because it does not exist and it is not obvious unless something occupies it. The air can occupy it, in which case we are dealing with pneumothorax. At the same time, the space can be occupied by a liquid substance, which causes pleural effusion.

Pleurisy is frequently associated with pleural effusion. When the pleura becomes inflamed, it can produce an inflammatory fluid that is stored in the pleural space. This suggests that different pleural diseases are based on a common cause.

Causes of pleurisy

Pleurisy can have various causes. Here are some of the disorders that can cause pleural inflammation:

• Autoimmune diseases: Some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, attack the pleura.
• Lung cancer: And this oncological disorder can attack the pleura. Sometimes the pleural membrane becomes inflamed because the primary tumor is very close to it. In addition, lung cancer metastases can form in the pleura.
• Pneumonia: If you suffer from bacterial or viral pneumonia, the pleura becomes inflamed due to the infectious process.
• Mycosis: Certain fungi that infect humans – specifically, the internal organs – can settle in the pleura. Fungal pleurisy is difficult to treat because antifungal drugs take a long time to work and cannot reach the pleura quickly.

• Chest injuries: Chest wall injuries have also been associated with pleurisy. Inflammation occurs due to the cohesion and proximity of adjacent structures.

Symptoms of pleurisy

The classic symptom of pleurisy is chest pain. This type of discomfort will be intense but intermittent, being exacerbated when the patient coughs or takes a deep breath.

The pain may be accompanied by dyspnea. This is a perceived lack of air during inspiration or expiration. Like a vicious circle, respiratory overload can aggravate chest pain. Other symptoms depend on the cause of pleurisy:

• If it is caused by pneumonia, the patient may have a fever and cough.
• If it is a consequence of lung cancer, the patient will experience weight loss, anemia or a change in skin color.
• If it is caused by an autoimmune disease, joint problems can also occur.

In the case of pleurisy accompanied by pleural effusion, the characteristic pain varies slightly. The accumulated fluid aggravates the discomfort when the patient adopts certain positions. And the pain will be more obvious due to the pressure exerted by the discharge on the lungs.

Types of treatment

The treatment will depend a lot on the cause of the problem. Remember, pleurisy is not a disease in itself, but a consequence of another pathology.

Regardless of the cause, the patient can manage the pain associated with pleurisy with anti-inflammatory drugs. Most doctors recommend ibuprofen to relieve this symptom. In the most severe cases, morphine and its derivatives can be used.

If the pain worsens when you cough, your doctor will prescribe antitussives. But these drugs are not always recommended, because cough is a defense mechanism of the body to remedy atypical situations.

In terms of infections, antimicrobial treatments can fight the invading agent. There are certain protocols for treating pneumonia, fungal infections and flu-like clinical situations, which determine what steps to follow.

If pleural effusion is associated with pleurisy, your doctor will check for drainage. In this sense, the specialist can extract the fluid accumulated in the pleura by certain procedures. Not all spills require drainage.

Patients with pleurisy should consult a doctor in order to identify the cause of the condition. The specialist will use various complementary methods that he considers necessary to make a diagnosis. As soon as he finds out what the cause is, he will prescribe appropriate treatment.