Learn About Pleurisy

What is the definition of Pleurisy?

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest (the pleura) that leads to chest pain when you take a breath or cough.

What are the alternative names for Pleurisy?

Pleuritis; Pleuritic chest pain

What are the causes of Pleurisy?

Pleurisy may develop when you have lung inflammation due to infection, such as a viral infection, pneumonia, or tuberculosis.

It may also occur with:

  • Certain cancers
  • Chest trauma
  • Blood clot (pulmonary embolus)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
What are the symptoms of Pleurisy?

The main symptom of pleurisy is pain in the chest. This pain often occurs when you take a deep breath in or out, or cough. Some people feel the pain in the shoulder.

Deep breathing, coughing, and chest movement make the pain worse.

Pleurisy can cause fluid to collect inside the chest. As a result, the following symptoms can occur:

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid breathing
  • Pain with deep breaths
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What are the current treatments for Pleurisy?

Treatment depends on the cause of the pleurisy. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Surgery or insertion of a tube in the chest may be needed to drain infected fluid from the lungs. Viral infections normally run their course without medicines.

Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce pain.

Who are the top Pleurisy Local Doctors?

Pinnacle Radiology PLLC

2710 S Rife Medical Ln, 
Rogers, AR 
 16.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

John Hedgecock is a Radiologist in Rogers, Arkansas. Dr. Hedgecock and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleurisy. His top areas of expertise are Pleurisy, Pleural Effusion, Ascites, Vertebroplasty, and Bone Graft. Dr. Hedgecock is currently accepting new patients.

Pinnacle Radiology PLLC

2710 S Rife Medical Ln, 
Rogers, AR 
 16.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

Andrew West is a Radiologist in Rogers, Arkansas. Dr. West has been practicing medicine for over 16 years and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleurisy. His top areas of expertise are Pleurisy, Visceromegaly, Fibroadenoma, and Giant Mammary Hamartoma. Dr. West is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Pulmonary Medicine | Intensive Care Medicine
Pulmonary Medicine | Intensive Care Medicine

Northwest Benton County Physician Services LLC

2900 Medical Ctr Pkwy, Suite 310, 
Bentonville, AR 
 15.6 mi
Accepting New Patients

Jason Bailey is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Bentonville, Arkansas. Dr. Bailey and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleurisy. His top areas of expertise are Lung Metastases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia, Bronchiolitis Obliterans, and Advanced Bronchoscopy. Dr. Bailey is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Pleurisy?

Recovery depends on the cause of the pleurisy and your general health condition.

What are the possible complications of Pleurisy?

Health problems that may develop from pleurisy include:

  • Breathing difficulty
  • Fluid buildup between chest wall and lung
  • Complications from the original illness
When should I contact a medical professional for Pleurisy?

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of pleurisy. If you have breathing difficulty or your skin turns blue (cyanosis), seek medical care right away.

How do I prevent Pleurisy?

Early treatment of bacterial respiratory infections can prevent pleurisy.

What are the latest Pleurisy Clinical Trials?
Automated Oxygen Administration in Patients With Hypoxemic Pneumonia and Pleuropneumonia

Summary: Hypoxemic pneumonia is a major cause of hospitalization in Pulmonology. The patient's dependency on oxygen prevents early discharge from the hospital. An automated oxygen therapy is a system that allows administration of oxygen with a flow that is automatically adjusted to the patient's saturation, which is continuously monitored. This system has proven to be particularly effective with chronic ob...

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Levels of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Cell-free DNA (MTB cfDNA) in Tuberculous and Non-tuberculous Pleural Effusion

Summary: Tuberculous pleuritis (TBP) is the most common manifestation of extrapulmonary TB. Its diagnosis is challenging due to the low sensitivity of mycobacterial culture from the pleural fluid and the need for invasive pleural biopsy. Preliminary data has shown the superior sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell-free DNA (MTB cfDNA) to conventional culture and MTB polymerase chain reaction (PCR)...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: August 13, 2023
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Fenster BE, Lee-Chiong TL, Gebhart GF, Matthay RA. Chest pain. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 38.

McCool FD. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 86.