Pleurisy And The Pleural Cavity

In the human body, the pleural cavity is the cavity that surrounds the lungs. The pleura is a membrane which basically folds back to create two layers. The space created between these two layers is what is known as the pleural cavity. Normally there is some fluid found in this cavity. The outer pleura, also known as the parietal pleura, is attached to the thoracic wall. The inner pleura, or visceral pleural, is found over the lungs and related blood vessels, nerves and bronchi.

The pleural cavity is essential for proper breathing. The pleurae are provided with a lubricant by the pleural fluid which allows them to move against each other during inhalation and exhalation. The fluid also controls the expansion and inflation of the alveoli with each breath. Further, the chest wall movements are controlled here. This is especially essential during times of heavy breathing.

As mentioned earlier there is usually fluid found inside the cavity. It is in constant production as it is absorbed regularly by the lymphatic system. A healthy pleural cavity will always have a few milliliters inside. The fluid should never accumulate beyond that. If it does, it is indicative of a problem.

One such issue might be pleurisy. Pleurisy is the inflammation of the pleural cavity, sometimes due to the accumulation of too much fluid. A viral infection is the number one cause of the condition. Bacteria or fungi are also sometimes to blame. Other causes could be a parasite, a chest injury, blood clots that make their way into the lungs, pneumothorax, which is a state of too much air or gas, ) or some other lung disease.

The most common symptom of pleurisy is a stabbing pain in the chest. It may spread to the back and will be exacerbated during breathing, sneezing or coughing. Additional symptoms may be fever, cough, shortness of breath or shallow breathing, sore throat and in some cases loss of weight. Some of these symptoms are dependent upon the underlying cause of the pleurisy. Determining this underlying cause is extremely important when treating pleurisy to ensure proper steps are taken. Chest x-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds and CT scans are common procedures. A biopsy may be performed in cases where cancer is being considered.

When treating pleurisy, one will want to not only treat the pleurisy itself but also the cause. Often, attempts will be made to drain the pleural fluid. If the fluid is infected, antibiotics or antifungal treatments will be given. Most often, ibuprofen will be advised. While treatment is in progress, it is important to cough regularly to clear out mucus. A build up of mucus can lead to pneumonia. Getting plenty of rest is also advised.

Early treatment will help prevent additional complications and even death. History books include many accounts of people who have died from pleurisy. Benjamin Franklin was a pleurisy victim at the age of 84. The 9th president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, was another. He had caught a cold which lead to pneumonia, which in turn, lead to pleurisy. He died after only 31 days in office. A few other notable cases are Anna Pavlova, Karl Marx, Charlemagne and Francis Scott Key. The good news is that treatments are readily available and are effective in most cases.

As stated, pleurisy is most often a sign of another serious condition. In some cases, an underlying cause cannot be determined. But when the causing factor is known, proper treatment is essential for healthy lungs.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. derrame pleural The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma change from patient to patient. Three different types of mesothelioma cancer attack these three different regions.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 9th, 2010 at 12:18 pm and is filed under mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.