Pleurisy Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Pleurisy is inflammation of the linings around the lungs (the pleura). There are two layers of pleura; one covering the lung and the other covering the inner wall of the chest. These two layers are lubricated by pleural fluid.
Pleurisy is characterized by pain in the chest with breathing. Pleurisy can also cause pain, cough, chest tenderness, and shortness of breath.
Pleurisy is frequently associated with the accumulation of extra fluid in the space between the two layers of pleura. This fluid is referred to as a pleural effusion. Pleurisy is also referred to as pleuritis.
Main Articles on Pleurisy
Causes of Pleurisy
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Asbestos
Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of...learn more »
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms...learn more »
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Cirrhosis (Liver)
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral...learn more »
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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due
to tobacco smoke. Lung...learn more »
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Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease....learn more »
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Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that forms in the chest lining (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), and...learn more »
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Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a rare disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, occurring when digestive enzymes are activated and begin...learn more »
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as...learn more »
Other Causes of Pleurisy
- Abdominal processes: such as pancreatitis,
cirrhosis of the liver
- Cancers: for example, the spread of lung cancer or
breast cancer
Certain drugs: drugs that can cause lupus (such as Hydralazine, Procan, Dilantin, and others)
- Congestion: heart failure
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Connective tissue diseases: lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis
- Infections: bacterial, mycobacteria, fungus, parasites, or viruses
- Inhaled particles: exposure to asbestos
- Lung embolism: blood clot inside the blood vessels to the lungs
- Lung infarction: lung tissue death due to lack of oxygen from poor blood supply
- Obstruction of lymph channels: because of centrally located lung tumors
- Trauma: rib fractures or injury from instruments in the chest from an operation, car accidents
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Tumors of the pleura: mesothelioma or
sarcoma
Examples of Medications for Pleurisy
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