Warning Signs Of Pleural Effusion

Shortness Of Breath

In more serious cases, patients may experience shortness of breath. This symptom might be related to the underlying cause of the condition, or it may occur when the fluid buildup is severe enough to cause the lungs to become compressed. A doctor will typically drain the fluid to help ease the patient's breathing. Shortness of breath may present as difficult and labored breathing or an inability to breathe easily when slouching or laying down. The more serious cases of pleural effusion involve shortness of breath, since impaired breathing can lead to a number of other complications. If the effusion isn't treated for a long time, it can lead to a permanent decrease in the lung's function and lung scarring.

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Pleurisy

Pleurisy occurs when the pleural membranes become inflamed. It leads to sharp pains in the chest that become worse when an individual breathes. These pains are often accompanied by shortness of breath because patients are trying to minimize the amount they breathe in and out. Some patients might also experience pleuritic pain in their back and shoulders. There are certain cases of pleurisy that occur without pleural effusion. When pleural effusion does occur, and the fluid buildup becomes severe, there's a reduction in the pleuritic pain because the two pleural membranes aren't in contact with each other anymore. However, this amount of fluid can cause serious pressure on the lungs that can lead to the partial or total collapse of one or both lungs.

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