What does pleurisy mean in medical terms?

What does pleurisy mean in medical terms?

Pleurisy (PLOOR-ih-see) is a condition in which the pleura — two large, thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall — becomes inflamed. Also called pleuritis, pleurisy causes sharp chest pain (pleuritic pain) that worsens during breathing.

What is the pleura?

The pleura is a thin layer of tissue that wraps your lungs. They fit snugly within your chest, which is lined with another thin layer of pleura. These layers keep your bare lungs from rubbing against the wall of your chest cavity every time you breathe in.

What is the best medicine for pleurisy?

The pain and inflammation associated with pleurisy is usually treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Occasionally, your doctor may prescribe steroid medication.

What part of the body does pleurisy affect?

Pleurisy is a type of chest pain. It affects a part of your body called the pleura. The pleura is a thin layer of tissue that wraps your lungs.

What are the signs and symptoms of pleurisy?

Signs and symptoms of pleurisy might include: Shortness of breath — because you are trying to minimize breathing in and out Pain caused by pleurisy might worsen with movement of your upper body and can radiate to your shoulders or back. Pleurisy can be accompanied by pleural effusion, atelectasis or empyema: Pleural effusion.

What should I do if I have pleurisy?

If coughing hurts too much, your doctor might prescribe medication ( codeine) that can make you cough less. You might feel better if you lie on the side that’s causing you pain. As the pain starts to go away, try to breathe more deeply and cough up any phlegm you have. Complications of pleurisy can be serious. They include:

What causes pleurisy to flare up?

In a person with pleurisy, the pleura become inflamed and rub together, causing chest pain. People can also have chronic pleurisy, which lasts for days to weeks. This might result from an infection, such as tuberculosis (TB), or another health issue, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer.