The dangers of secondary recurrence of pleurisy

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Pleurisy is very common in clinical settings, with most cases caused by the invasion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the pleural cavity, leading to inflammatory lesions. Patients generally experience pleurisy symptoms, and if their immune function is weak, some may relapse if not careful. Therefore, for patients recovering from pleurisy, it is essential to strengthen their immune system and pay attention to balancing work and rest, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, which can greatly reduce the possibility of pleurisy recurrence. If pleurisy recurs, the clinical symptoms may worsen compared to the initial infection or may present similarly to the initial symptoms. Generally, if pleurisy recurs, there might be severe complications due to adhesions in the pleural cavity, possibly leading to persistent chest pain symptoms.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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What is the cause of hemoptysis in pleurisy?

Pleurisy is generally more commonly seen in young adults and children clinically, and is most commonly caused by an infection of the pleura by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Usually, patients with this type of pleurisy do not experience symptoms of coughing up blood. The typical symptoms caused by pleurisy primarily include chest pain, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and in severe cases with a lot of pleural effusion, it can cause the patient to experience breathing difficulties and sometimes chills. Therefore, the clinical symptoms presented by different patients can vary. When a patient with pleurisy has a severe cough, it can lead to the rupture of the capillaries in the bronchial walls, which can cause the patient to have varying degrees of blood in the sputum, or even coughing up blood.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Sequelae of pleurisy with pulmonary effusion

The main sequelae of pleurisy with pleural effusion are pleural adhesions, which can affect respiratory function. Pleurisy is mostly caused by infectious diseases, although a portion is also due to non-infectious diseases. In the case of pleural effusion caused by infectious diseases, it contains a large amount of fibrinogen, which has the function of adhering to our pleura, thereby causing the pleura to thicken. At this time, the pleura will compress our lungs, significantly reducing the respiratory volume of our lungs, which greatly affects our respiratory function. Patients mainly exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and rapid breathing even with slight activity or while lying in bed. Therefore, if pleurisy is detected, it is crucial to drain the fluid from the patient as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment and the subsequent development of severe sequelae.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Pleurisy is caused by what?

Pleurisy is often caused by various pathogens, such as viral infections, which can lead to pleurisy termed viral pleurisy. Viral pleurisy typically presents with noticeable chest pain, and may even be accompanied by tenderness in the chest wall. Similarly, bacterial infections can also cause pleurisy. If the infection is a purulent bacterial infection, it is known as purulent pleurisy. Generally, those with purulent pleurisy experience high fever symptoms. Another common cause of pleurisy is tuberculosis infection, known as tuberculous pleurisy. Typical symptoms of tuberculous pleurisy include low-grade fever in the afternoon, night sweats, and may also include chest tightness and chest pain.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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Can you exercise with pleurisy?

Whether or not a patient with pleurisy can exercise should be determined based on the individual's specific condition. For mild pleurisy without pleural effusion and severe pain, exercise is permissible. However, if pleural effusion is present, it should be drained or aspirated first, after which exercise can be encouraged. Exercise should be moderate, as it can help absorb the pleural effusion, which is beneficial for the patient. Additionally, if pleurisy causes severe pain, it is best to minimize movement to avoid exacerbating the pain.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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What are the symptoms of pleurisy and pneumothorax?

The pleural cavity in healthy individuals is a potential space and is under negative pressure. Its main purpose is to allow the lungs to fully adhere to the chest wall, and the lubricating fluid present serves to prevent too much friction between the lungs and chest wall during deep inhalation, which could cause pain. For various reasons, such as a ruptured lung bulla or trauma to the chest wall, a certain amount of air can enter the pleural cavity, leading to pain in patients. Due to the presence of pleurisy, friction occurs between the lungs and chest wall—particularly between the lower chest wall and the lungs—causing intense pain during deep inhalations. If a large volume of air is present, it can prevent the lungs from fully expanding, potentially leading to symptoms of breathing difficulties or an obstructed exhalation.