Dry Pleurisy

The chest cavity is lined with pleura. Dry pleurisy is accompanied by inflammation of these these leaves, on the surface of which fibrinous overlays are formed.

Causes of the disease

Pleurisy is not isolated into an independent disease, it is considered a secondary ailment arising from diseases of the chest wall, mediastinum and diaphragm. Often it is a manifestation of other diseases. Dry pleurisy often develops when:

• lung damage (lung cancer, abscess, pneumonia, pulmonary suppuration);
• diseases of the digestive system (pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
• collagenoses (systemic vasculitis, rheumatism);
• infections (measles, brucellosis , influenza);
• eating disorders.

Dry pleurisy - symptoms

In most patients, the disease occurs in acute form. At the initial stage pleurisy is accompanied by signs of intoxication of the body. It can be:

• temperature increase;
• aches in the body, fever, after which there is chills;
• headache;
• deterioration of appetite, weight loss.

The characteristic symptoms of dry pleurisy include:

• dry cough ;
• rapid breathing, which is superficial;
• an increase in the diseased part of the chest;
• impaired mobility of the lower part of the affected lung.

The main sign, indicating a dry fibrous pleurisy, is the pain in the sternum, appearing on the sore side. It intensifies with a deep breath, after which a dry cough may appear. Also characteristic is the accompanying pain of laughter and coughing. The patient, trying to reduce uncomfortable sensations, reflexively puts his hand to the disturbing place.

Dry pleurisy - treatment

Treatment of the disease is polyclinic. Many patients, considering the disease as a mere cold, begin to drink anti-cough drugs and apply folk methods. Of course, pleurisy can complicate due to hypothermia, but it still will not be a cold.

First and foremost, the doctor should establish the cause of pleurisy, and then prescribe the appropriate medication. For dry pleurisy is characterized by the following treatment:

1. Taking antihistamines and pain medications to relieve painful sensations.
2. The appointment of antitussive drugs, but not expectorant, because with dry pleurisy cough only increase pain.
3. To relieve the condition, a bandage is applied to the patient and compresses are applied to the lower half of the thorax.
4. As healing recovers, the patient is given respiratory gymnastics and physiotherapy treatment.