Pleurisy (pleuritis)

Overview

Pleurisy is mostly caused by pneumonia. The inflammation spreads from the surface of the lungs to the tissue between the lungs and the ribcage (pleura). Pain when breathing in and out is typical, sometimes patients are short of breath. This disease should be treated by a doctor.

Symptoms

• Shooting chest pains that get worse when inhaling/exhaling and coughing
• Chest pressure
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms can disappear over time if the inflammation fluid gathers in the area between the ribs and the lungs.

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Pleurisy usually occurs during or after a pneumonia attack
  Infrequent causes
• Lung infarction (lung embolism)
• Cancer (e.g. lung cancer)
• Autoimmune disorder

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Listening to the lungs (stethoscope)
• Blood tests
• X-ray
• Ultrasound (sonography)
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Possible therapies

• Treatment of the cause (e.g. antibiotics for pneumonia)
• Painkillers
• Physiotherapy (special breathing exercises)
• Small operation (insertion of a sterile needle to drain the fluid
  

What can I do myself?

• Rest your body
• Exercise and a balanced diet strengthen the immune system and can help prevent infections
  

When to see a doctor?

• Persistent shooting chest pains that get worse when inhaling/exhaling and coughing
• Persistent shortness of breath

Synonyms

pleurisy, pleuritis