Diseases of the lungs are always not easy. Among others, it is worth highlighting a rather serious disease - pleurisy. What it is? This is an inflammation of the lining of the chest cavity. It is called pleura. A disease has several forms,
involving various treatments, but any of them can cause great damage to the body. Therefore, the signs of pleurisy must be able to recognize immediately, in time to see a doctor and start therapy.
What causes the disease and what are its symptoms?
The causes can be divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious. In the first case, bacteria and viruses that cause pleurisy infect the body. What are these pests? Pneumococci, hemophilic or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, streptococci, rickettsia, mycobacterium tuberculosis and others. In the second case, pleurisy develops due to a variety of primary diseases, such as systemic lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors, vasculitis, chest injuries, pulmonary embolism. The reasons are determined by the medical history.
Pleurisy can manifest itself with various symptoms, but there are general ones: chest pain, cough, shortness of breath. With a dry course of the disease, the patient also suffers pain in the side, which is most manifested when inhaling. Chills, fever, sweating at night, and weakness may occur. The wet form is accompanied by a painful cough, the pain in the side is less due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, there is a feeling of heaviness, not too pronounced cyanosis, the intercostal spaces are smoothed out.
Diagnosis of the disease
The presence of the above symptoms is an occasion to consult a doctor. Radiography, computed tomography and ultrasound examination help determine the patient's condition. The last two diagnostic methods allow you to accurately identify the form of the disease. X-ray examination is no less important, but not aimed at pleurisy. What does this mean? The information in the pictures characterizes the presence of changes in the lung tissue and lymph nodes. However, with an exudative form, effusion can also be noticeable during an x-ray. The method of pleural puncture is also used when the fluid from the pleura is checked for tuberculosis or the presence of tumor cells. Only after a complete diagnosis can a specialist begin treatment.
How to cure pleurisy?
Treatment must be comprehensive. If pleurisy is a secondary disease, primary therapy should be performed. With purulent forms, hospitalization of the patient is necessary. To restore the respiratory apparatus, patients are recommended therapeutic exercises. Anti-inflammatory and desensitizing drugs that effectively affect pleurisy are used. What are these funds? Plain acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin. If the disease proceeds against the background of tuberculosis, it is necessary to take antibiotics such as Streptomycin and Isoniazid, and for pneumonia, Gentamicin and Amoxicillin are used. In severe cases, bed rest, massage and a special diet are recommended.