What is pleurisy?

If you ask most people, "What is pleurisy," most probably couldn't tell you. They might know that pleurisy is a disease of the lungs, but they wouldn't be able to explain what causes it. Pleurisy is also called pleuritis.

Pleurisy is a disease caused by an infection in the lining, or pleura, of the chest cavity around the lungs. When the pleura become inflamed, breathing becomes difficult and even painful. Pain caused by pleurisy can be exceptionally troublesome and sharp.

There are several layers of pleura below the rib cage. One layer overlies the lungs. Another layer is on the inner wall of the chest. The layers of pleura rub together, which allow your lungs to expand and contract without bumping the chest wall.

When these pleura become inflamed, the lungs can't move easily within the chest, which causes pain and discomfort.


Causes of Pleurisy
Pleurisy can result from a number of different causes, and the causes may sometime be difficult to pin down. Typical causes include tuberculosis and other chest and lung infections, but a clot in the arteries in the lungs can also result in pleurisy.

Lupus, hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pleurisy, as can an acute viral infection like the flu or pneumonia.


Pleural effusion
Someone who has pleurisy often experiences a build up of fluids in the chest lining. Doctors call this fluid build up "pleural effusion." This fluid lubricates the area and actually helps reduce breathing discomfort. But this can also lead to a problem if fluid accumulates because it can interfere with lung function, resulting in breathing difficulties. Sometimes the fluid becomes infected, which can lead to serious problems.


Pleurisy symptoms
Pleurisy symptoms can include

•dry cough,
•fever and chills,
•shortness of breath, and
•chest pain during breathing.
Pain in the chest will worsens with coughing, sneezing, moving or breathing in. Some people with pleurisy believe that holding their breath or applying pressure to the area of the chest lessens the pain.


TWhat is pleurisy?
If you ask most people, "What is pleurisy," most probably couldn't tell you. They might know that pleurisy is a disease of the lungs, but they wouldn't be able to explain what causes it. Pleurisy is also called pleuritis.

Pleurisy is a disease caused by an infection in the lining, or pleura, of the chest cavity around the lungs. When the pleura become inflamed, breathing becomes difficult and even painful. Pain caused by pleurisy can be exceptionally troublesome and sharp.

There are several layers of pleura below the rib cage. One layer overlies the lungs. Another layer is on the inner wall of the chest. The layers of pleura rub together, which allow your lungs to expand and contract without bumping the chest wall.

When these pleura become inflamed, the lungs can't move easily within the chest, which causes pain and discomfort.


Causes of Pleurisy
Pleurisy can result from a number of different causes, and the causes may sometime be difficult to pin down. Typical causes include tuberculosis and other chest and lung infections, but a clot in the arteries in the lungs can also result in pleurisy.

Lupus, hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pleurisy, as can an acute viral infection like the flu or pneumonia.


Pleural effusion
Someone who has pleurisy often experiences a build up of fluids in the chest lining. Doctors call this fluid build up "pleural effusion." This fluid lubricates the area and actually helps reduce breathing discomfort. But this can also lead to a problem if fluid accumulates because it can interfere with lung function, resulting in breathing difficulties. Sometimes the fluid becomes infected, which can lead to serious problems.


Pleurisy symptoms
Pleurisy symptoms can include

•dry cough,
•fever and chills,
•shortness of breath, and
•chest pain during breathing.
Pain in the chest will worsens with coughing, sneezing, moving or breathing in. Some people with pleurisy believe that holding their breath or applying pressure to the area of the chest lessens the pain.


Treatment of pleurisy
Anyone with pleurisy has a number of treatment options available.

Pleurisy symptoms can sometimes be relieved simply by resting. Some doctors will recommend strapping the chest with a firm adhesive elastic bandage, but this might also prevent deep breathing and coughing up of mucus, which can both help clear the respiratory tract.

Painkillers may sometimes be appropriate. They help relieve the discomfort that comes with coughing. Cortisone drugs and anti-inflammatory medications can be effective in reducing the inflammation and therefore the pain that comes with pleurisy.

Quick attention to any symptom of a lung problem is the best prevention of pleurisy.reatment of pleurisy
Anyone with pleurisy has a number of treatment options available.

Pleurisy symptoms can sometimes be relieved simply by resting. Some doctors will recommend strapping the chest with a firm adhesive elastic bandage, but this might also prevent deep breathing and coughing up of mucus, which can both help clear the respiratory tract.

Painkillers may sometimes be appropriate. They help relieve the discomfort that comes with coughing. Cortisone drugs and anti-inflammatory medications can be effective in reducing the inflammation and therefore the pain that comes with pleurisy.

Quick attention to any symptom of a lung problem is the best prevention of pleurisy.