EFFUSION PLEURAL

Overview and Facts

An effusion pleural is a strange amount of fluid in the lung that needs to be drained because it can lead to other health conditions.

The pleura is a narrow membrane that lines the area of your lungs and the inner of your chest wall. Generally, only a spoon of watery fluid is in the space of the pleural, letting your lungs act evenly in your thoracic cavity when you breathe. However, when a person has pleural effusion, the fluid develops on the surface of the pleura. 

There is a broad range of things that can cause pleural effusion. The common causes include:

  • Cancer
  • Leaking from other organs
  • Infections
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Autoimmune conditions

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

These are the two main types of pleural effusion:

  • Transudative. Having the same fluid in the pleural space, it manifests from liquid draining over normal pleura. This type is uncommonly required to be cleared, except if it’s huge. Congestive heart failure is the most common cause of this type. 
  • Exudative. Manifesting from extra protein, liquid, inflammatory cells, blood, or occasionally bacteria that drain over the harmed blood vessel in the pleura, this might require to be cleared, depending on its condition and size. The most common cause of this type is lung cancer and pneumonia. 

SYMPTOMS

Pleural effusion may not show any symptoms, but when it is moderate or huge, or if there’s inflammation, signs and symptoms are visible.

These include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Fever

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination to diagnose pleural effusion by using a stethoscope.

If you’re suspected to have pleural effusion, he/she may request these tests:

  • Chest X-ray
  • CT Scan
  • Ultrasound

Also, your healthcare provider may do a test called thoracentesis, which is done by taking a small fluid to examine by inserting a tube and a needle in your ribs, towards the pleural space. 

TREATMENT

To treat health conditions that cause pleural effusion, you would be prescribed some antibiotics to treat your pneumonia, and diuretics to treat your congestive heart failure. 

Furthermore, pleural decortication, pleural drain, pleurodesis, thoracentesis, and  tube thoracostomy are performed to handle this condition. 

Inflamed, infected, or large pleural effusions frequently require to clear out to help you get better and prevent serious problems. 

Don’t wait for your condition to get worse. Seek immediate medical treatment.

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