What is Pleurisy?
Pleurisy is a condition where the pleura is inflamed and rubs against itself. The pleura is the thin tissues that lines the lungs and chest wall. Typically, this isn’t a problem because the tissue generates no friction.
However, when this tissue is inflamed or infected, it becomes irritated and swollen, causing significant pain. This condition is known as pleurisy or pleuritis.
This condition has a grim fame. It caused the death of a number of historical figures, including Catherine de Medici and Benjamin Franklin.
Pleurisy is no longer a common condition. Over the years, antibiotics have been extremely successful in treating and preventing the bacterial infections that historically were the main causes of pleurisy.
Nowadays, most cases of pleurisy are the result of a viral infection and deaths from this illness are quite rare.
Symptoms of Pleurisy
The chief symptom associated with pleurisy is a sharp, stabbing pain when you breathe. This pain might go away when you hold your breath or put pressure on the painful area.
However, the pain will often get worse when you sneeze, cough, or move. Fever, chills, and loss of appetite are also possible symptoms, depending on the condition that’s causing the pleurisy.
Additional symptoms of pleurisy include:
- pain on one side of your chest
- pain in your shoulders and back
- muscle aches
- shortness of breath
- shallow breathing to avoid feeling pain
- headaches
- joint pain
Pleurisy can be accompanied by a fluid buildup that puts pressure on the lungs and causes them to stop working properly. This fluid accumulation is called a pleural effusion. This fluid may initially act like a cushion, causing the chest pain to disappear.
A person with a pleural effusion will eventually experience shortness of breath as the fluid increases. An individual may also experience fever, chills, and a dry cough. These symptoms can indicate an infection in the fluid, also called an empyema.
Causes of Pleurisy
Viral infections are the most common cause of pleurisy. Viruses can cause infections in the lungs, which can lead to pleurisy.
Other causes of pleurisy include:
- bacterial pneumonia
- bronchitis
- blood clots in the arteries of your lung, also called pulmonary emboli
- immune system disorders, such as systemic lupusand rheumatoid arthritis
- sickle cell anemia
- heart surgery complications
- lung cancer
- lymphoma
- tuberculosis
- chest wounds
- rib fractures
- blunt trauma to the chest wall
- chest or lung tumors
- mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure
- fungal or parasitic infections
Diagnosis of Pleurisy
The first priority in diagnosing pleurisy is to determine the location and cause of the inflammation or swelling. Your doctor will do a physical exam and take your medical history. Your doctor may also order one or more of the following tests:
Chest X-rays
Chest X-rays will allow your doctor to see if there’s any inflammation in the lungs. Your doctor may also order a decubitus chest X-ray, which is an X-ray taken while you are lying on your side. This allows free fluid to form a layer. A decubitus chest X-ray should confirm if there’s any fluid buildup.
Blood Tests
Blood tests can help to determine if you have an infection and determine the cause of your infection if you do have one. In addition, blood tests will reveal if you have an immune system disorder.
Thoracentesis
During a thoracentesis, your doctor will insert a needle into the area of your chest where imaging tests detect fluid. Next, your doctor will remove the fluid and analyze it for the presence of infections.
Due to its invasive nature and associated risks, this test is rarely done for the typical case of pleurisy.
CT Scan
To further research any abnormalities found on chest X-rays, your doctor may want to take a series of detailed, cross-sectional images of your chest using a CT scan.
The images produced by the CT scan create a detailed picture of the inside of your chest. This allows your doctor to get a closer look at the irritated tissue.
Ultrasound
In an ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves create an image of the inner portion of your chest cavity. This will allow your doctor to see if there’s any inflammation or fluid buildup.
Biopsy
A pleural biopsy is useful in determining the cause of your pleurisy. The pleura is the layer of membranes that surrounds your lungs.
During the procedure, your doctor will make small incisions in the skin of your chest wall. Next, your doctor will use a needle to remove a small tissue sample of the pleura.
This tissue will then be sent to the laboratory to be analyzed for infection, cancer, or tuberculosis.
Thoracoscopy
During a thoracoscopy, your doctor will make a small incision in your chest wall and then insert a tiny camera attached to a tube into the pleural space. He or she will use the camera to locate the irritated area, and then collect a tissue sample for analysis.
Treatments for Pleurisy
Once your doctor identifies the source of inflammation or infection, they’ll be able to determine the correct treatment. Getting adequate rest to assist your body with the healing process is an important part of getting well.
In addition, lying on the side that has pain may provide just enough pressure to make the pain go away.
Other methods of treatment include:
- prescription pain and cough medication that may contain codeine
- medications to break up any blood clots or large collections of pus and mucus
- antibiotics for bacterial infection
- over-the-counter medicines, including aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil), or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- bronchodilators via metered dose inhaler devices, such as those used to treat asthma
Individuals with large amounts of fluid in their lungs (pleural effusions) might have to stay in the hospital with a drain tube in the chest until fluids drain adequately.
Outlook for Pleurisy
Pleurisy can have severe long-term implications, but seeking medical treatment and adhering to your course of treatment can have positive results. You and your doctor should identify any underlying causes of your pleurisy to help you recover.