How to Treat Pleural Effusion
Treatment and outcome of pleural effusion usually depends on the cause. Let’s take a look at a few treatment options that your doctor may recommend for you:
Draining fluid
Draining fluid is one of the most effective ways to treat pleural effusion. It involves draining the fluid from your chest cavity, either using a needle or by inserting a small tube into the chest.
Your doctor will administer a local anesthetic before this procedure. This is to make treatment less painful and more comfortable. You will feel some pain or discomfort at the incision site after the anesthetic wears off. In most cases, your doctor will prescribe drugs to help you relieve the pain.
If fluids start to accumulate after treatment, you will have to undergo this procedure again. Your doctor may also recommend other treatments to help manage fluid accumulation if cancer is the cause of your pleural effusion.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat pleural effusions that occur due to bacterial infections. Your doctor will administer the antibiotics intravenously. In most cases, antibiotics are usually administered alongside drainage.