“What is pleurisy?” This is a common question asked by many people. To find the answer, read on to know what pleurisy is and understand the various symptoms and treatments associated with it.

The thin, satiny tissue lining of the lungs and the chest walls is known as pleura. When a person breathes, the layers of pleura rub together. In a normal case, this is not a problem and no friction is generated. However, in case the pleura is inflamed or infected, they become swollen, thereby causing a sharp chest pain. This condition is termed as pleurisy.

Pleurisy is caused by a number of conditions, such as infections, cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, collagen vascular diseases, and congestive heart failure.

Common symptoms of pleurisy
Now that you know what pleurisy is, are you wondering how to identify it? The most common symptom of pleurisy is a sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that worsens with breathing. Also, this pain increases if you sneeze, move or cough. Common symptoms include the following.

• Fever
• Chills
• Loss of appetite
• Pain on one side of the chest
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Pain in the shoulder or neck
• Muscle aches
• Shortness of breath

In a few cases, pleurisy is accompanied by an accumulation of fluid that puts pressure on the lungs, impairing their function. This fluid buildup is known as pleural effusion.

Diagnosing pleurisy
The first step of diagnosing pleurisy begins with identifying the location and cause of the swelling. For this, your doctor may conduct a physical examination. One or more of the following tests can be performed.

• Chest X-rays
• Blood Test
• CT Scan
• Ultrasound
• Thoracentesis
• Biopsy
• Thoracoscopy

Treatment for pleurisy
Once the source of inflammation has been diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe a suitable line of treatment based on that. It is important to get sufficient rest along with proper medication to help the body recover faster. Also, lying on the side that has pain puts pressure which can help in alleviating the pain.

Some commonly prescribed treatments for pleurisy include the following.

• OTC medicines, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets
• Antibiotics for fighting bacterial infections
• Medications to dissolve blood clots or large collections of mucus or pus
• Pain and cough medicines that contain codeine
• Bronchodilators through inhaler devices to treat asthma

People suffering from pleural effusions might have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to drain out the fluid via a drain tube in the chest. Now that you know what pleurisy and its various causes and symptoms are, you should immediately avail of medical assistance in case you notice any signs.