Pleurisy is a serious lung disease caused by excessive fluid accumulation in the thin, two-layered membrane covering the lungs and chest cavity, called the pleura. The increased amount of fluid is also called pleural effusion or pleurisy. Left untreated, it can cause permanent health problems. It can cause symptoms such as fever, severe chest pain during breathing and breathing difficulties. Treatment depends on the underlying causes of the disease.
It is a disease that can occur at any age and gender. It is most likely to occur in people over the age of 65. It is often caused by infections. However, many diseases can also cause this condition. The disease can be diagnosed and diagnosed as a result of examination, physical examination and some imaging techniques performed by specialist doctors. Afterwards, the treatment process is planned and treatment is applied depending on the underlying cause of the disease.
What Causes Pleurisy?
It is a disease that occurs as a result of an excessive increase in the amount of fluid in the space between the pleural membranes covering the lungs and chest wall and inflammation of this area. While many diseases or conditions can cause this condition, the common causes of pleurisy can be listed as follows:
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Fungal infection
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary edema
- Some medicines
- Pulmonary embolism (blockage of the arteries that deliver blood to the lungs due to a clot)
- Autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Rib fracture or trauma
- Tuberculosis (tuberculosis)
- Pneumonia
- Heart failure
- Complications after cardiac surgery
- Liver and kidney diseases
What are the Symptoms of Pleurisy?
Cough and chest pains are very common in this disease, as seen in all chest diseases. In this disease, breathing difficulties are experienced as a result of chest pains that are usually severe. Pleurisy symptoms include serious problems such as shortness of breath. Patients have difficulty lying on their backs.
Symptoms may include fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, feeling very cold, weakness and loss of appetite. In the early stages of the disease, the individual who breathes deeply may hear a sound that resembles a single or double-sided squeaking sound. As the disease progresses, the cough may become much more severe and may be replaced by a body-shaking cough.
Many cases report stabbing pain in the back when coughing. In some cases, the pain can be felt in the shoulders and abdomen. In addition to all these symptoms, different symptoms may occur depending on the diseases that can cause this condition.
In case of symptoms and cough complaints, a pulmonologist should be examined immediately and the causes of the condition should be found out.
How is pleurisy diagnosed?
Pleurisy is diagnosed after examinations and investigations performed by a pulmonologist. The pulmonologist asks some questions to learn the patient's medical history and complaints in detail. The patient is then physically examined.
After the examination, some tests and examinations may be ordered by the specialist to clarify the diagnosis of the disease.
Blood tests
These tests are performed to determine the presence of infection and to detect the presence of certain autoimmune diseases.
Lung X-ray
If the specialist suspects a pleural effusion, one of the first tests performed is a chest X-ray. This is done to visualize the condition of the chest cavity and lungs.
Computed Tomography (CT)
It is one of the imaging methods used to examine and visualize the chest cavity and lungs in detail.
Ultrasonography
It is done to find out the amount and exact location of fluid accumulated between the lung and chest cavity.
Thoracentesis
A sample of the fluid that accumulates between the pleural membranes is taken. It is examined to look for underlying infections and serious diseases such as cancer.
Thoracoscopy
These are surgical operations performed to take samples from the pleural membrane in pleural effusions that are thought to develop due to serious diseases such as tuberculosis or cancer.
Pleurisy Treatment
The treatment of pleurisy may differ depending on the underlying cause of the disease. In cases where the disease is caused by bacterial infections, antibiotic treatment may be recommended by the specialist. In addition, inflammation caused by the infection may be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
If the disease is caused by tuberculosis (TB), antibiotic treatment is prescribed for long-term use. If the disease is caused by lung or pleural cancers, oncologists and surgeons will provide the necessary treatment.
In addition, applications for excessive fluid accumulation are as follows:
Drainage
The fluid accumulated in the pleura is drained with the help of a needle or a small tube between the ribs.
Pleurodesis
After the accumulated fluid is drained with the drainage method, a medicated liquid or the person's own blood is injected into the chest cavity to ensure that the pleural layers adhere to each other to prevent recurrence.
Pleurectomy/Decortication
It is a surgical procedure performed on patients with pleural cancer. The layer of the pleura that adheres to the chest wall and provides fluid production is removed by surgery and pleural effusions that may occur in the future are prevented.