Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is a common lung condition that develops from a wide range of health conditions. It also needs prompt treatment to prevent potential complications like a collapsed lung. At Chuan Jiang Medicine PC in Flushing, New York, pulmonary specialist Chuan Jiang, MD, provides skillful care for your lung condition, eliminating the buildup around your lungs and restoring your ability to breathe. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or a dry cough, don’t wait to get an evaluation. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is pleural effusion?

Your lungs are surrounded by a two-layered membrane. The space between the membrane and each lung, called the pleural cavity, contains a small amount of fluid (pleural fluid). The fluid lubricates the area, making it easy for your lungs to expand and contract as you breathe.

Pleural effusion occurs when there’s too much fluid in the cavity. Excessive fluid affects your ability to breathe and in severe cases, pressure from the fluid makes your lung collapse.

What causes pleural effusion?

Many health conditions cause pleural effusion, including:

• Pneumonia
• Pleural infections
• Lung infections
• Pulmonary embolism
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Lung cancer
• Pleural cancer
• Kidney disease
• Liver cirrhosis
• Tuberculosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pancreatitis
• Lupus

Chest trauma, certain medications, cancer treatments, and abdominal surgery may also lead to pleural effusion.

Are there different types of pleural effusion?

Though pleural effusion refers to a fluid buildup (including blood), other pleural disorders arise from the same causes and result in similar symptoms.

You may develop pleural disorders, including:

Hemothorax

Hemothorax refers to excess blood in the pleural cavity.

Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax occurs when the pleural cavity fills with too much air.

Empyema

Empyema develops when an infection like pneumonia spreads from the lungs into the pleural cavity, resulting in an accumulation of pus.

Pleurisy

You have pleurisy when the membranes forming the pleural cavity become inflamed.

Pleural tumors

Pleural mesothelioma, cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, begins in the pleural cavity and often causes pleural effusion.

What are the symptoms of pleural effusion?

Pleural effusion and conditions affecting the pleural cavity cause symptoms, such as:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dry cough
• Difficulty breathing when lying down
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heart rate

You may also have a general feeling of anxiety.

How is pleural effusion treated?

Dr. Jiang specializes in treating pleural effusion and all pleural conditions. The first line of treatment is draining the fluids, blood, air, or pus and treating any underlying conditions or infections.

Excess fluids in the pleural cavity may form a fibrous capsule around the lung, which limits breathing. If this happens, Dr. Jiang performs a decortication procedure to remove the tissue.

If you have cancer, Dr. Jiang becomes part of your cancer treatment team and develops a plan to remove the cancerous tissues and provide other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 

If you experience uncomfortable symptoms that may indicate pleural effusion, call Chuan Jiang Medicine PC or schedule an appointment online today.