An Overview Of Pleural Effusion

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Pleural Effusion, commonly known as "water on the lungs," occurs when an excessive amount of pleural fluid accumulates in the thin space between the two layers of membrane that protects the lungs and lines the chest wall. A large amount of unneeded pleural fluid will hinder breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs during respiration. This membrane that protects the lungs and chest wall is known as the pleura. The pleura is a serious membrane that folds back onto itself creating two thin membranes. The outer pleura, called the parietal pleura, line the inner surface of the chest cavity and are very sensitive to pain. The inner pleura is called the visceral pleura, and it covers the surface of the lungs and other adjoining structures, such as blood vessels, bronchi, and nerves. The visceral pleura feels no pain because it does not receive any nerves of general sensation, unlike the parietal pleura.

In between the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura is a very thin space referred to as either the pleural cavity or pleural space. There is always a small amount of pleural fluid inside the pleural space. The fluid ...
... works as a lubricant to prevent friction between the two layers of the pleural membrane as the lungs expand and contract during respiration. The body's lymphatic system forms the pleural fluid by re-absorbing fluid leaked from nearby capillaries. An imbalance between production and reabsorption of pleural fluid will lead to the development of Pleural Effusion.

Pleural Effusion has two major classifications. The first is Transudative Effusions, meaning the excess pleural fluid is low in protein, and the other is Exudative Effusions, where the excess fluid is high in protein. The two classifications help physicians determine what sort of disease triggered the effusion. The most common causes of Transudative Effusions in the United States are cirrhosis, which actually affects the liver and left ventricular failure. Causes of Exudative Effusions are much more difficult to diagnose, because they can be caused by a wide variety of ailments. Tuberculosis and systematic lupus erythematosus have also been known to be the reason for Pleural Effusions. It is essential to diagnose the underlying cause of the effusion, because draining the excessive fluid will only temporarily fix the problem, eventually the fluid will accumulate in excess like before. By identifying the initial cause and working to rid the body of that ailment, the body will be able to properly produce and reabsorb pleural fluid, because Pleural Effusion is only a complication of another illness.

Pleural Effusion can lead to a variety of complications, especially when improperly treated. A lung that is surrounded by an excess of pleural fluid for too long can be scarred and permanently weakened. Also, pleural fluid that has been in the pleural cavity or an outstanding amount of time may become infected and turn into an abscess, creating a collection of pus around the lung. It is wise to rid the body of any sort of effusion as soon as possible in order to avoid further complications to the lungs.

See more information about pleural effusion and how to get help if you have an illness that can lead to pleural effusion. Visit the following links: fluid around the lungs, and water in the lungs Los Angeles CA.