Fact Checked
Pleurisy is a form of chest pain that arises once the chest wall lining or pleura is inflamed. Oftentimes, if there is significant inflammation, fluid builds up in the space amidst the lungs and chest wall.
What are the causes?
Pleurisy has a variety of causes and can occur when:
- Pleura is irritated by an infection such as common cold, pneumonia, flu or tuberculosis
- There is a blood clot in the lungs
- The chest wall is damaged
- The individual is diagnosed with heart failure, arthritis or cancer
The usual cause of pleurisy is a viral infection such as the flu or common cold. In addition, those who smoke are at higher risk for the condition.
What are the indications?
If an individual ends up with pleurisy, he/she might experience the following:
- Piercing chest pain while breathing or when sneezing, coughing or laughing.
- Pain or discomfort settles or becomes absent while breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Fever in some cases
Management of pleurisy
The doctor might suggest the following as part of treatment:
- Medications to relieve the pain and inflammation such as naproxen, ibuprofen, steroids, acetaminophen, narcotics or a combination of these drugs
- Inhaled medications to open the airways to promote better breathing
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present
The treatment is based on the root cause of the inflammation. The doctor might require a follow-up appointment and another chest X-ray to ensure that the condition is successfully treated.
Some of the self-care measures include the following:
- The individual should breathe deeply several times in an hour. If this is not done, the lower regions of the lungs might collapse. Once the lungs collapse, pneumonia is likely to develop.
- For those who smoke, limit or cessation is suggested.
- Pain medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen can be given to lessen the pain.