Treatment
When treating pleurisy, doctors focus majorly on the underlying cause. For example, if the factor responsible for the pleurisy is bacterial pneumonia, doctors prescribe an antibiotic to manage the infection. Patients in poor conditions or frail are admitted to the hospital (to support the body’s function until the condition is managed properly). Pleurisy caused by viral infections can go on its own without any significant treatment.
The pain and inflammation linked with pleurisy are majorly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others). In rare cases, doctors may prescribe steroid drugs. If nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [6] (NSAIDs) don’t work or it is unsuitable, doctors prescribe other painkillers such as paracetamol or codeine.
When there is an excess build-up of fluid between the pleural layers (parietal and visceral layers), it becomes compulsory for doctors to drain the fluid (thoracentesis) to prevent breathing challenges.
Treating pleurisy mainly involves reducing pain and treating the underlying factor responsible for the condition. Prompt treatment of pleurisy is imperative to avoid any lasting negative effect on the lungs.
The following steps are lifestyle or home remedies for pleurisy:
- Take drugs: make sure you use drugs recommended by doctors at the right time to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Rest properly: you can find the position that causes the least pain when you sleep even when the pain has reduced, do not stress yourself.
- Avoid smoking: smoking damages the lungs. People with pleurisy should stay away from smoking because it causes more irritation. You can ask a doctor for help if you cannot quit smoking on your own.
Conclusion
Pleurisy can have serious long-term implications. However, if you stick to your doctor’s treatment. There will be positive results. Identifying underlying causes is the most important step in treating pleurisy.
References
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12061-arthritis#:~:text=Arthritis%20is%20a%20disease%20that,Feet.
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789#:~:text=Lupus%20is%20a%20disease%20that,%2C%20brain%2C%20heart%20and%20lungs.
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html#:~:text=Rheumatoid%20arthritis%2C%20or%20RA%2C%20is,usually%20many%20joints%20at%20once.
[4] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20a%20disease%20in,up%20of%20trillions%20of%20cells.
[5] https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-tuberculosis-basics#:~:text=Tuberculosis%20(TB)%20is%20a%20contagious,death%20in%20the%20United%20States.
[6] https://www.medicinenet.com/nonsteroidal_antiinflammatory_drugs/article.htm