What is Pleurisy or Pleuritis?

Pleurisy or Pleuritis involves inflammation of the pleura, usually resulting in pleural effusion and stabbing chest pain that worsens by deep breathing and coughing.

What Causes Pleurisy?

Pleurisy often develops as a result of:

• Ruptured esophagus,
• Amebic empyema,
• Rib fracture,
• Epidemic pleurodynia,
• Lung inflammation (pneumonia, tuberculosis),
• Rheumatic diseases,
• Chest trauma,
• Cancer, and
• Exposure to asbestos.

Pleurisy Symptoms:

Sudden stabbing chest pain is the most dominant symptom of pleurisy. Typically, pleuritic pain is described as a stabbing sensation, which gets further aggravated by breathing and coughing.

Some of the most common Pleurisy symptoms include:

• Cough,
• Fever,
• Pain over the chest wall right at the inflammation site,
• Pain in the shoulder,
• Worsening of the pain by deep breathing,
• Worsening of the pain by coughing,
• Worsening of the pain because of chest movement,
• Accumulation of fluid at the site of pleural inflammation,
• Tachypnea, and
• Cyanosis.

Pleurisy Diagnosis:

Pleurisy is readily diagnosed when the characteristic pleuritic (sudden, stabbing) chest pain occurs. Pleurisy Diagnostic tests may include:

• CBC,
• Chest X-ray,
• Chest Ultrasound, and
• Thoracentesis

Pleurisy Treatment:

The course of Pleurisy treatment is determined by the underlying illness. Depending upon the type of underlying illness, the pleurisy treatment may include:

• Antibiotics,
• Bronchodilators,
• Treatment for Tuberculosis,
• Anti-viral medications,
• Oral narcotics,
• Bronchial drainage,
• Pain management drugs, and
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease Diagnsis and Treatment News section of this website for the latest Pleurisy Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Pleurisy Diagnosis and Treatment related Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.