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Pleurisy
Alternate Names : Pleuritic Chest Pain, Pleuritis
Definition Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the lungs, with subsequent pain.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Pleurisy may develop in the presence of lung inflammation (for example, pneumonia, tuberculosis), rheumatic diseases, chest trauma, certain cancers, and asbestos-related disease. The main symptom is pain over the chest wall at the site of the inflammation. In some circumstances, the pain may be felt in the shoulder.
The pain is increased by deep breathing, coughing, and chest movement. The normally smooth pleural surfaces, now roughened by inflammation, rub together with each breath, and may produce a rough, grating sound called a "friction rub". This can be heard with the stethoscope or an ear held against the chest.
Fluid often accumulates at the site of pleural inflammation. A localized collection of fluid separates the lung pleura from the chest wall pleura causing the chest pain to disappear even though the illness may be worsening.
Large accumulations of fluid compromise breathing and may cause coughing, shortness of breath with rapid breathing (tachypnea), cyanosis, and retractions.
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• Definition
• Pleurisy Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Pleurisy Symptoms & Signs
• Pleurisy Prevention
• Pleurisy Diagnosis & Tests
• Pleurisy Treatment
• Pleurisy Prognosis
• Pleurisy Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Pleural Effusion
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• The Flu
Tests & Exams
• CBC
• Chest X-Ray
• Thoracentesis
• Ultrasound
Other Topics
• Breath Sounds
• Breathing Difficulty
• Chest Pain
• Cough
• Fever
• Malaise
• Physical Examination
• Rapid Deep Breathing (Hyperventilation)
• Respiratory
• Skin Discoloration - Bluish
Review Date : 1/27/2002
Reviewed By : David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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