Pleurisy Center - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Pulmonologist Doctors for PleurisyType of Physician: Pulmonologist What is a Pulmonologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on diseases of the lungs and airways. The pulmonologist diagnoses and treats pneumonia, cancer, asthma, occupational diseases, sleep disorders, emphysema, and other complex disorders of the lungs. Pulmonologists evaluate lung function, examine the bronchial airways, and prescribe and monitor mechanical ventilation. Many pulmonary disease experts are also expert in critical care. Specialty: Pulmonary Disease Common Name: Lung Doctor Pulmonologist Doctors in Wilmington * Wilmington Health Associates Pulmonary Department  Wilmington Health Associates Pulmonary Department  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Kinston Pulmonary  Medical Specialists Clinic  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Eastern Medical Associates  Wayne Heart & Internal Medical Associates PA  Eastern Medical Associates  Lafayette Clinic PA  Cape Fear Pulmonary Associates  Fayetteville Pulmonary Critical Care  Cape Fear Pulmonary Associates Wilmington, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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Pleurisy (Pleuritis)Read the Pleurisy (Pleuritis) article » What is pleurisy?Pleurisy describes the chest pain syndrome characterized by a sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing. Pleurisy is caused by inflammation of the linings around the lungs (the pleura), a condition also known as pleuritis. There are two layers of pleura: one covering the lung (termed the visceral pleura) and the other covering the inner wall of the chest (the parietal pleura). These two layers are lubricated by pleural fluid. 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. The pain fibers of the lung are located in the pleura. When this tissue becomes inflamed, it results in a sharp pain in the chest that is worse with breathing. Other symptoms of pleurisy can include cough, chest tenderness, and shortness of breath.
What causes pleurisy?Pleurisy can be caused by any of the following conditions:
Recommended Reading Related to Pleurisy (Pleuritis)What is pulmonary edema?Edema, in general, means swelling. This typically occurs when fluid from inside blood vessels seeps outside the blood vessel into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling. This can happen either because of too much pressure in the blood vessels or not enough proteins in the bloodstream to hold on to the fluid in the plasma (the part of the blood that does not contain any blood cells). Pulmonary edema is the term used when edema happens in the lungs. The immediate area outside of the small blood vessels in the lungs is occupied by very tiny air sacs called the alveoli. This is where oxygen from the air is picked up by the blood passing by, and carbon dioxide in the blood is passed into the alveoli to be exhaled out. Alveoli normally have a thin wall that allows for this air exchange, and fluids are usually kept out of the alveoli unless these walls lose their integrity. Picture of the alveoli and lung Other Related Pleurisy ArticlesEmergency Contact for Wilmington
Nearby Wilmington Hospitals *New Hanover Regional Medical Center Cape Fear Hospital Dosher Memorial Hospital Pender Memorial Hospital Brunswick Community Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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