for those of you who don't know what pleurisy is read below
The pleura are two thin linings that lie between your lungs and your ribcage (the bones in your chest). Pleurisy happens when these linings are irritated by infection or disease. It is sometimes called pleuritis.
It is usually an acute condition and can be easily treated. Symptoms include discomfort around the chest area and breathing difficulties.
The main symptom of pleurisy is a short sharp pain in the chest area when taking a breath. This often occurs at the end of a breath.
Other symptoms could include:
chest pain when coughing,fever,rapid shallow breathing,and discomfort when touching the affected area, even lightly.If symptoms continue for more than a few days or you have breathing difficulties you should see your GP.
You may also have other symptoms because of the disease or condition that is causing your pleurisy. For example, if it is a common cold that is causing your pleurisy other symptoms could include headaches, a sore throat and coughing.
The pleura, which lie between your lungs and your ribcage is made up of two layers. One layer is attached to your ribcage and the other is attached to your lungs. The layers are separated by a very thin layer of liquid that works like a lubricating oil to let them move past each other when you breathe in and out.
If the pleura are irritated, the two layers become uneven and the fluid may become sticky. This means that the layers rub together causing discomfort and pain.
Pleurisy is usually caused by a viral infection such as a common cold or flu. It may also be caused by a condition that affects the lungs, such as pneumonia or a pulmonary embolus (blood clot). Sometimes, an autoimmune disease, where the bodys immune system attacks its own tissue, is the cause. Pleurisy can also be one of the signs of some cancers.Diagnosis will be made based on the symptoms that you have. Examination using a stethoscope (an instrument used to listen to sounds in the body) can also be used to hear the affected pleura rubbing against each other.
If your pleurisy is not a short-term infection, then a chest X-ray or further tests can be used to find out which condition is causing it.There is no particular treatment for pleurisy because it is usually the result of an infection or other condition. However, ibuprofen or aspirin can ease the inflammation around the chest area and relieve pain and discomfort.
The bodys immune system will usually fight off any infections. However, antibiotics can be prescribed for the infection if required. It will normally clear up within 7-10 days once the infection that has caused it is under control.
Other treatment may be required if the pleurisy is the result of a more serious condition such pneumonia or rheumatoid arthritis.Very rarely, excess fluid can build up in between the pleura. This is called pleural effusion. This may relieve chest pain but also puts a lot of strain on the lungs causing shortness of breath. It is also possible for the excess liquid in a pleural effusion to become infected.
A pleural effusion normally clears up when the condition that caused it in the first place goes away. If it doesnt clear up naturally, surgery can be used to drain the fluid.