Pleural Effusions
Learn about the pulmonary condition of Pleural Effusions including its common causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What Are Pleural Effusions?
Pleural Effusions are build up of excess fluid in the layers of pleura outside of the lungs.
Pleural Effusions, also referred to as “water on the lungs.” Pleura are thin membranes on the lungs and the chest cavity that facilitate breathing.
The excess fluid may be protein-rich (exudative) or lacking protein (transudative). These types of pleural effusions help pulmonologists treat the pleural effusion. Pleural effusions are very common, with approximately 100,000 cases being diagnosed in the United States each year.
Symptoms of Pleural Effusions
Symptoms of Pleural Effusions may include:
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath or labored breathing
- Inability to breathe unless sitting up or standing
In some cases, pleural effusions may have no symptoms at all.
Possible Causes of Pleural Effusions
Some possible causes of Transudative Pleural
- Effusions may be:
- Heart failure
- Pulmonary embolism
- Cirrhosis
- Post open heart surgery
Some possible causes of Exudative Pleural Effusions may be:
- Pneumonia
- Cancer
- Pulmonary embolism
- Kidney disease
- Inflammatory disease
Other less common causes include:
- Tuberculosis
- Autoimmune disease
- Bleeding (due to chest trauma)
- Chylothorax (due to trauma)
- Rare chest and abdominal infections
- Exposure to asbestos
- Meig’s syndrome (due to a benign ovarian tumor)
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- Certain medications
- Radiation therapy
- Types of cancer including lung, breast, and lymphoma
Risk Factors of Pleural Effusions
Risk factors of Pleural Effusions may include:
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Heart, lung and liver disease
- History of any contact with asbestos
Complications from Pleural Effusions
Complications from Pleural Effusions may include:
- Scarring of lung tissue
- Pneumothorax or collapsed lung
- Empyema – a collection of pus within the pleura
- Sepsis (blood infection) sometimes leading to death
How to Prevent Pleural Effusions
There is no way to completely prevent pleural effusions, but some ways to reduce your risk may include:
- Stop smoking
- Avoid alcohol
- Get early treatment for pneumonia
- Live a heart healthy lifestyle
Learn about the Smoking Cessation program at Oneida Health.