How to Get Rid of Pleurisy

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura. The pleura is a big, thin membrane that wraps around the exterior of the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity. Under normal conditions, the double-layered pleura defend and lubricate the surface of the lungs as they inflate and deflate with every breath. In between the two layers is a thin, fluid-filled gap that allows the layers of pleura to softly slide past one another. In the case of pleurisy, the layers become swollen and their rough surfaces rub clearly against each other with every breath. Also called pleuritis, pleurisy typically causes sharp pain, almost always when you take a breath. Pleurisy occurs as a complication of a wide variety of fundamental conditions. Relieving pleurisy involves treating the fundamental condition, if it's known, and taking pain relievers. Other symptoms of pleurisy can include cough, chest tenderness, and smallness of breath.

Pleurisy can present with pneumonia, or is sometimes caused by pleural effusions, trapped fluid in the lining of the lungs. It seldom goes unnoticed because of the pain related with the condition. Pneumonia can be of bacterial or viral source, but pleural effusions are most commonly related with some forms of heart surgery, such as the Fontan repair to lessen single ventricle. Pleurisy occurs when the two layers of the pleura become swollen. Inflammation is a defensive and curative process characterized by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. The inflamed pleural layers rub against each other every time the lungs increase to breathe in air. This can cause sharp pain with breathing. Infections like pneumonia are the most common cause of pleurisy. The other hidden causative factors for pleurisy in a person possibly the presence of a tumor, an embolism in the pulmonary system and or an autoimmune attack from the body’s own faulty immune system. Additionally, in cases somewhere an impaired circulatory system allows some blood to flow back into the lungs due to conditions like a heart failure, pleurisy can be the resulting condition.

Causes of Pleurisy

Common causes and risk factors of Pleurisy

1. Tuberculosis and other infections.
2. Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune hepatitis.
3. An acute viral infection, such as the flu (influenza).
4. Lung cancer, include lymphoma.
5. Chest injuries.
6. Bacterial infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
7. Certain drugs: drugs that can cause lupus-like syndromes (such as Hydralazine, Procan, Dilantin, and others).

Symptoms of Pleurisy

Common symptoms of a Pleurisy include:

1. Shortness of breath.
2. Dry cough.
3. Weight loss.
4. Fever and chills.
5. Poor appetite.
6. Fast, shallow breathing.

Treatment of Pleurisy

1. Painkillers such as codeine can help.
2. Rest.
3. In severe pain, a nerve block is performed using a deadening agent (e.g., Xylocaine) that is injected into the nerves between the ribs for provisional relief of pain.
4. Aspirin and other NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Indocin, etc.) are effective in reducing the inflammation, fever, and pain.
5. All efforts should be made to increase the vigor, reduce toaxemia, and restore normal freedom of chest movements for the treatment of pleurishy.

Home Remedies for Pleurisy

1. Use a humidifier to help keep the air moist and your sputum thin. A painful cough will be regulated with codeine-based cough.
2. Essential oils can be potent when used as massage oils or inhaled with steaming water.
3. Vitamin E, with blended tocopherols, 400 IU twice daily.
4. Eucalyptus evacuates infection. Dietetic prescribtions include eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and sufficient protein.
5. Rosemary relieves pain. Homeopathic treatment, selected by a trained practitioner based on the pattern of symptoms suffered by the patient.