How to treat pleurisy without effusion?

Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

Updated on September 27, 2024

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Pleurisy is a very common type of inflammatory response of the pleura caused by pathogenic factors in clinical practice. In clinical settings, some patients may develop pleural effusion, while others may not. Therefore, the treatment for pleurisy without pleural effusion mainly involves symptomatic management with anti-tuberculosis drugs. Typically, the treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs should follow a regimen that is early, combined, adequate, regular, and complete. For the treatment of such pleurisy patients, it is known that most cases are caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, when treating such patients, it is crucial to strictly follow the treatment regimen of anti-tuberculosis medications to effectively control the uncomfortable symptoms caused by pleurisy.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui

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The difference between pleurisy and peritonitis

Peritonitis generally refers to a severe disease caused by bacterial infection, chemical irritation, or injury, most of which are secondary peritonitis originating from infections and necrosis of abdominal organs, perforations, trauma, etc. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, tense abdominal muscles, tenderness, and board-like abdomen. Pleurisy generally refers to the inflammation of the pleura caused by pathogenic microorganisms, also known as pleuritis, which can be accompanied by pleural effusion. Pleurisy is commonly caused by tuberculosis. Generally, the symptoms of peritonitis are more severe than those of pleurisy. Both pleurisy and peritonitis require active, timely, and regular treatment.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao

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Can pleurisy be seen on a chest X-ray?

Pleurisy can also be detected in chest radiographs, but it depends on the type. There are two types of pleurisy: dry and wet. Dry pleurisy cannot be clearly identified, while wet pleurisy, which is mostly caused by tuberculosis, can show more typical characteristics. Tuberculous pleurisy primarily manifests as pleural effusion. A small amount of pleural effusion on an X-ray appears as blunting of the costophrenic angle on the same side and blurring of the diaphragm. A moderate amount of pleural effusion is shown on the chest radiograph as a uniformly consistent high-density shadow on the same side, which appears higher on the outside and lower on the inside, with an arc-shaped shadow. The muscle costophrenic angle and diaphragm are obscured. A large amount of pleural effusion presents as a high-density shadow in the pleural cavity on the same side, with the mediastinal cardiac silhouette clearly shifting to the interlateral side.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

1min 1sec

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What causes pleurisy in young people?

In clinical practice, populations with pleurisy are often common among young people and children. The factors inducing pleurisy in young people are mainly due to low immune function and the presence of pathogenic factors that stimulate an inflammatory response in the pleura. Such patients often experience infections, with tuberculosis infections being more common. This often leads to clinical symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and even difficulty breathing. Therefore, for individuals with low immune function, it is particularly important to pay attention to strengthening nutrition and to balance work and rest. When the body's functions are weakened, it is necessary to properly enhance nutrition and exercise to improve the body's immunity and reduce the likelihood of developing pleurisy.

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Written by Luo Peng

Thoracic Surgery

35sec

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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 An Yong Peng

Pulmonology

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What are the symptoms of pleurisy?

Pleurisy often presents with symptoms of chest pain, which tends to worsen with deep breathing. Patients with pleurisy may also experience a feeling of tightness in the chest, possibly caused by a significant accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity due to the pleurisy. Sometimes, this tightness could also be due to severe chest pain that makes the patient reluctant to inhale deeply. Patients with pleurisy are likely to exhibit symptoms of fever. It is important to note that pleurisy caused by different factors may have distinct clinical features. For example, purulent pleurisy often presents with high fever, while tuberculous pleurisy may show symptoms of tuberculosis intoxication like low-grade fever in the afternoon and night sweats. However, some cases of tuberculous pleurisy might present with high fever, and others may not have noticeable fever at all. Additionally, viral pleurisy usually features prominently painful symptoms in the chest.