Pleurisy | Medtick
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Pleurisy

What is it?

When the lining of the lungs (the pleura) becomes irritated and/or inflamed.

The pleura

  • The pleura is actually a membrane that contains two thin membranes—one that lines your lungs (the visceral pleura- this contains nerves that can cause symptoms) and one that lines the inside of your chest cavity (the parietal pleura- it does not contain nerves).
  • The visceral and parietal pleurae are separated by a small cavity referred to as the pleural cavity and this contains the pleural fluid. Together its act as a cushion, reducing friction on the lungs when you breathe in and out.- If the pleural fluid builds up in excess it can cause symptoms of pleurisy.

Diagnosis Tests

verywellhealth

Cause

Treatments

  • Chest or lung or heart surgery

Medication

  • Medication or drug reactions that cause a lupus type reaction

Symptoms

(Symptoms can vary)

  • Sharp, stabbing, or burning chest pain that occurs with deep breathing, coughing, sneezing and/or laughing?
  • Shoulder pain (chest pain may spread to the shoulder or neck due to inflammation of a nerve called the phrenic nerve, which causes the diaphragm to work, the diaphragm is a tissue below the lungs that helps us to breath)?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C, 100°F or over greater than 72 hours, chills and sweats?
  • Persistent Hiccups?
  • Rapid breathing?
  • Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties and/or after exercise?
  • Breathing difficulties when lying down?
  • Bluish skin on hands and fingers (lack of oxygen in the blood)?
  • Weight loss?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Pleurisy in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

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  • Medscape (Professional level)

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  • EveryDay Health

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

  • Better health - NHS

    Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!

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