Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammatory condition of the pleura The pleura is a membranous tissue that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs Pleurisy causes sharp pain in the chest (pleuritic pain) that worsens when you inhale
Many conditions are associated with pleurisy Treatment of pleurisy involves controlling the pain and eliminating the underlying cause
The pleura consists of two large, thin layers The pleura separates the lungs and the chest wall One layer of the pleura surrounds the outer surface of the lungs, and the other layer adheres to the inner wall of the chest cavity. Between these two layers is the pleural cavity, which normally contains only a small amount of fluid The fluid between the layers reduces friction, and as a result, the pleura reduces the resistance of the chest wall on the lungs, allowing the lungs to move freely during respiration.
Pleuritis develops when the pleura becomes irritated and inflamed As a result, the two layers of the pleura rub against each other like dry paper, causing pain when inhaling and exhaling. The pain caused by pleurisy stops when the patient holds his breath
Causes of pleurisy include:
- Viral infection such as influenza
- Bacterial infection such as pneumonia
- Fungal infection
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain medications
Signs and symptoms of pleurisy include:
- chest pain that worsens when inhaling, coughing, sneezing
- shortness of breath as the patient tries to move minimally while breathing
- cough – in some cases
- fever – in some
In some cases of pleurisy, fluid collects between the two membranous layers of the pleura – in the pleural cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion When there is less fluid in the pleural cavity, pleural pain disappears because the layers are no longer touching each other When a large amount of fluid is retained, pressure develops, which may even cause the lung to collapse In such a condition, the patient has difficulty breathing and coughs The fluid is prone to infection This condition is called empyema Empyema is accompanied by an increase in temperature
When to see your doctor
See your doctor right away if you have unexplained, intense chest pain when you breathe in.
Maybe there is a problem in the lungs, heart, pleura In any case, timely medical intervention is required
