Increased amounts of fluid within the pleural cavity. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. It is usually caused by lung infections, congestive heart failure, pleural and lung tumors, connective tissue disorders, and trauma.
Symptoms of Pleural Effusion
The following features are indicative of Pleural Effusion:
shortness of breath
dyspnea
orthopnea
chest pain
chest fullness
It is possible that Pleural Effusion shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Pleural Effusion
The following are the most common causes of Pleural Effusion:
inflammation of the pericardium
congestive heart failure
pneumonia
rheumatoid arthritis
cancer of the pericardium or heart
Other Causes of Pleural Effusion
The following are the less common causes of Pleural Effusion:
radiation therapy for cancer
had chemotherapy such as doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide treatment for cancer
underactive thyroid
trauma or puncture wound near the heart
Risk Factors for Pleural Effusion
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Pleural Effusion:
asbestos exposure
Prevention of Pleural Effusion
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Pleural Effusion.
Occurrence of Pleural Effusion
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Pleural Effusion cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Pleural Effusion can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Pleural Effusion can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Pleural Effusion:
Blood test: To check the presence of infection
Chest X-ray: To show if lungs are fully inflating or if there is air or fluid between the lungs and ribs
Computerized tomography (CT) scan: To show if there is a blood clot in the lung or find other causes of pleuritic pain
Ultrasound: To determine whether have a pleural effusion
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): To rule out certain heart problems as a cause for chest pain
Doctor for Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Pleural Effusion:
Pulmonologist
Complications of Pleural Effusion if untreated
Yes, Pleural Effusion causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Pleural Effusion is left untreated:
lung damage
empyema
pneumothorax after drainage of the effusion
pleural thickening
Procedures for Treatment of Pleural Effusion
The following procedures are used to treat Pleural Effusion:
Thoracentesis: To withdraw fluid out of chest around 6 cups of fluid at a time
Pleurodesis: Sealing the pleural space
Self-care for Pleural Effusion
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Pleural Effusion:
lying on your painful side
breathing deeply
coughing to clear mucus
getting plenty of rest
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Pleural Effusion
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Pleural Effusion:
Brazilian folk remedy: Wilbrandia ebracteata extract reduce inflammation in the pleural cavity
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Pleural Effusion.
