Treatment
The treatment of an uncomplicated pleurisy is symptomatic. Pain therapy plays an important role in preventing the patient from breathing freely. Due to the shallowly ventilated lung, there is a high risk of bacterial colonization with subsequent pneumonia.
In addition, the administration of oxygen through a nasal cannula can help to relieve the perceived breathing difficulties. In the acute stage of the disease, bed rest should always be observed. Therefore, avoid sports and similar strenuous activities in advance.
In the case of dry pleurisy, it is primarily the underlying disease that is treated. In the case of bacterial inflammation, this means the use of antibiotics, whereby the doctor prescribes different drugs depending on the type of bacteria. For collagenosis, the use of glucocorticoids or other immunosuppressive drugs.
In the case of viral origin, only the pain symptoms can actually be treated. In this case, and also in general, painkillers are given for the pain caused by pleurisy, in order to enable a halfway painless breathing. In the case of cancer with accompanying pleurisy, special therapeutic procedures, such as surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy or radiation, are considered depending on the tumor entity. If the symptoms improve, regular breathing exercises are recommended to optimize the work of breathing and improve ventilation of the lungs.
Duration
How long it takes for pleurisy to heal is usually difficult to predict. This depends on many factors, such as the severity of the underlying disease. This usually heals together with the pleuritis.
If the dry pleuritis turns into exudative pleuritis, the healing time also depends on the degree of effusion formation and the complications. In general, however, pleurisy is a serious disease that takes at least a few weeks to heal before it is fully recovered. You can find more detailed information under our topic: Duration of pleurisy
