Consequences of pleurisy
A mild and moderately severe pleurisy usually heals without consequences. In the case of a severe inflammation, however, the healing of the inflamed areas may result in adhesions, adhesions or even calcifications (pleuritis calcerea). If this results in impaired lung function and thus breathing is restricted, surgery is required to remove the adhesions.
Anatomy
The pleura (pleura parietalis) lines the chest cavity from the inside. The lung is covered by part of the pleura (visceral pleura). In between there is a thin gap, the pleural cavity (Cavitas pleuralis), which is filled with a little liquid (approx. 5-10 ml) so that the pleura and the pleura can easily slide past each other during breathing.The pleura is made up of several parts, here we treat the pleura (pars costalis), which covers the inner sides of the ribs.
Cause
A pleurisy is usually the result or concomitant of another disease, which is then called the “primary disease”. The most common disease that triggers pleurisy is pneumonia. Increasingly, tuberculosis is also found as a trigger. In any case, pleurisy must be examined and clarified as quickly as possible, as it can have serious consequences. However, if treated in time, it usually heals without further complications.
Symptoms
Inflammation of the costal pleura manifests itself in principle through various symptoms, which also depend on whether and which other disease is still present. In general, a sudden, strong, painful stabbing sensation in the thorax (thoracic pain) is felt, which is dependent on breathing. During inhalation and coughing, the stinging usually becomes stronger.
The cough is usually without sputum. These symptoms often lead to shallow breathing. In the presence of the above symptoms, we speak of the “dry form” (pleuritis sicca) of pleurisy, which can change into a “moist form” (pleuritis exsudativa) in the course of time.
In the “wet form”, fluid accumulates in the pleural gap (pleural effusion), so that a significant increase in body weight can even occur (1.5 liters are not uncommon). Therefore, body weight control is also necessary. As a symptom, the moist form is more likely to cause a feeling of pressure in the chest and consequent difficulty in breathing.
Fever and fatigue can also be general symptoms. The duration of pleurisy may also be an indication of a possible cause.
