Pleurisy (also known as pleural effusion) is a chronic inflammation of the pleura, a tissue covering on the lungs
The most common symptom of pleurisy is cough associated with thickened mucus, which may be white, yellow or green in color. Pleuritis can also cause symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Pleurisy is a chronic inflammation of the pleura, a lining that covers the lungs. The severity of this condition can range from mild (which may clear up on its own without medical intervention) to life threatening.
Since so many cases of pleurisy are usually mild and go away without medical intervention, it is difficult to estimate exactly how many people in the world actually develop pleurisy each year. Estimates are based on the following factors: the age of the person with the disease, their gender, the area of their body affected, and whether the disease is caused by bacteria or viruses. It is estimated that about ten percent of people with pleurisy have a full blown attack. This means that while most people experience only mild symptoms (such as cough and chest pain), some people may experience serious and potentially life-changing complications.
Pleurisy is one of a group of chronic lung diseases that are classified as non-bacterial. The disease is caused by infection with bacteria present in the pleura. Some types of bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, cause bacterial pleurisy, while others, such as Staphylococcus aureus, cause non-bacterial pleurisy. The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae causes acute pleurisy, and the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes can cause persistent or recurrent pleurisy.
There are several ways to prevent or treat pleurisy infections. The first way to prevent the onset of the disease is to use antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the infection. Antibiotics can be taken orally or by injection and have been shown to be effective against nonbacterial and chronic lung diseases, including pleurisy. While antibiotics don't always work in all cases, they are very effective when used consistently to control bacteria.
Antibiotic treatments are only effective for people who already have an infection or who have the bacterium but have no signs of pneumonia. In other cases, doctors prescribe an antibiotic for bacterial pleurisy if the patient has recurrent or life-threatening symptoms. If the infection is more severe, a course of antibiotics might be prescribed to keep the bacteria under control and to reduce the risk of recurrence. Antibiotics can also be used to treat other forms of pneumonia, especially if the bacteria causing the infection are resistant to them.
Aspirin, azithromycin, or metronidazole are common antibiotics prescribed to treat pleurisy. These treatments are commonly given together, as these are much more effective than individual antibiotics.
Another treatment available for some patients of pleurisy is immunotherapy, which uses antibodies to boost the immune system to fight against the bacteria and decrease the severity of an attack. There are a number of antifungal medications that can be used, too, although these are not as effective as other types of antibiotics. Surgical removal of a part of the pleura called the subpleural mesothelium is also sometimes performed to remove pockets of infected tissues that allow bacteria to enter through the airway.
Surgery for bacterial pleurisy can be done through a variety of methods. The most common is ligation or surgical blockage of the bony opening so that excess mucus can be drained away from the lung.
There are also a number of very effective ways to relieve pain and to reduce the size and number of lesions, if any. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help reduce the pain of pleurisy, as well as antihistamines that contain diphenhydramine and phenylephrine. which cause vasoconstriction to constrict the airway and prevent swelling. The administration of intravenous fluids can reduce inflammation, as well as steroid ointments or suppositories containing corticosteroids.
Many people find that over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines give long-term relief of symptoms, but it is important to note that if you already have a cold or cough, or have recently been exposed to certain allergens, the use of decongestants may not provide sufficient relief to stop the discomfort. For people with a history of pneumonia or pleurisy, a combination of antibiotics and steroid ointments may prove beneficial.