About Pleurisy :-
Pleurisy is a situation in which the pleura two large, thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall becomes inflamed. This is also known as pleuritis, pleurisy causes chest pain (pleuritic pain) that worsens while you are breathing.One pleural layer of tissue enfold around the outside of the lungs. The other pleural layer lines the inner chest wall. Between these two layers is a small space (pleural space) that is normally filled with a very small amount of liquid. Generally, these layers act like two pieces of smooth satin gliding past each other, allowing your lungs to expand and contract when you are breathe.
If you have pleurisy, these tissues swell and become irritated. As a result, the two layers of the pleural membrane rub against each other like two pieces of sandpaper, generating pain when you inhale and exhale. The pleuritic pain reduces or stops when you hold your breath.
Treatment of pleurisy includes pain control and treating the underlying situation.
Pleurisy Signs & Symptoms :-
Signs and symptoms of pleurisy may involve:• Chest pain that become more painfull when you breathe, sneeze, or cough.
• out of breathing because you are trying to minimize breathing in and out,
• A cough only in some cases,
• A fever only in some cases.
Pain created by pleurisy might worsen with movement of your upper body and can scatter to your shoulders or back.
Pleurisy can go along by pleural effusion, atelectasis or empyema:
• Pleural effusion-
In some of the cases of pleurisy, thei fluid builds up in the small space between the two layers of tissue. This is known as pleural effusion. When there is a good amount of fluid, pleuritic pain reduces or disappears because the two layers of pleura are no longer in contact and do not rub together.
• Atelectasis-
A large amount of fluid in the pleural space can generate pressure, compressing your lung to the point that it partly or completely collapses (atelectasis). This makes breathing very difficult and can cause coughing.
• Empyema-
The extra fluid can also become infected, which result in an accumulation of pus. This is called an empyema. This ampyema is often accompanied by fever.
When to See a Doctor :-
Call your doctor immediate, if you experience unexplained, intense chest pain while you are breathing. You might have a problem with your lungs, heart or pleura or an underlying illness for which you need quick medical care.Pleurisy Causes :-
A variety of underlying situations can lead to pleurisy. Causes involve:• Viral infection, such as the flu (influenza),
• Bacterial infection, such as pneumonia,
• Fungal infection,
• Autoimmune disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lung cancer near the pleural surface,
• Pulmonary embolism,
• Tuberculosis (TB),
• Rib fracture or trauma,
• Certain inherited diseases, such as sickle cell disease,
• Certain medications.