chest pain?
Question:
Answers:
"Definition of Pleurisy
Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the linings surrounding the lungs. There are two layers of pleura; one covering the lung and the other covering the inner wall of the chest. These two layers are lubricated by pleural fluid. Pleurisy is frequently associated with a pleural effusion (the accumulation of extra fluid in the space between the two layers of pleura). Pleurisy causes a stabbing pain in the chest aggravated by breathing, chest tenderness, cough, and shortness of breath. Pleurisy can be caused by many conditions including infections, collagen vascular diseases (such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), cancers (such as metastatic lung cancer or breast cancer), tumors of the pleura, heart failure, lung embolism (blood clot in a vessel to the lungs), obstruction of lymph channels, trauma (rib fractures or injury from instruments in the chest from an operation or car accident), certain drugs (such as Hydralazine, Procan, and Dilantin), abdominal processes (such as pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver) and lung infarction (lung tissue death due to lack of oxygen from poor blood supply).
The chest pain of pleurisy is very distinctive. It is usually sharp and aggravated by breathing. The doctor can often hear the friction that is generated by the rubbing of the two inflamed layers of pleura with each breath. With large amounts of pleural fluid accumulation, there can be decreased breath sounds and the chest is dull sounding when the doctor drums on it (dullness upon percussion). A chest x-ray in the upright position and while lying on the side helps diagnose small amounts of fluid. Ultrasound is also a very sensitive method of detecting the presence of fluid. A CT scan can be very helpful in detecting trapped pockets of fluid as well as in determining the nature of the tissues surrounding the area.
Removal of pleural fluid with a needle and syringe (aspiration) is key in diagnosing the cause of pleurisy. Removal of the fluid from the chest cavity (a procedure called thoracentesis) can also relieve the pain and shortness of breath due to pleurisy. If the fluid is infected, treatment involves antibiotics and drainage of the fluid. If there is pus inside the pleural space, a chest drainage tube is inserted. In severe cases, in which there are large amounts of pus and scar tissue (adhesions), there is a need for decortication (opening the pleural space and removing portions of one or two ribs in order to clear scar tissue and remove pus and debris). In cases of pleurisy caused by cancer, the fluid often reaccumulates so a procedure called pleurodesis may be done in which an irritant (such as Bleomycin, Tetracycline, or Talc powder) is instilled inside the space between the pleura in order to create inflammation. This inflammation, in turn, will tack the two pleura together. This procedure thereby obliterates the space between the pleura and prevents the reaccumulation of fluid."
Get a second opinion. I have had Pleurisy (aka: walking pnuemonia)before and it is quite painful. I was hospitalized for mine for a week and a half. If your Doctor is not treating it, it will get worse. Please seek treatment very soon.
P.S. They don't always have to remove the fluid with a needle, sometimes the anitbiotics alone will work.mine did.
Other Answers:
If the pain is sharp and stabbing then it is likely musculoskeletal. If it feels like you have something sitting on your chest and it is hard to breath then be very worried. Also, if it radiates down your left arm, left side of your neck, or left side of your jaw then go the emergency room. High liver enzymes aren't good either.fatty liver can turn into cirhosis. I say quit smoking.it doesn't take too long to feel better after you quit.
try to cut down on smoking, have ur docter try a ekg, or then a stress test,,,i just had my docter tell me this , it may just be anziety if these tests come out negitive, or its from lifting too much during the day,,anziety can give u chest pains, thats what i found out today too,,u may have asma, or even emphesemia too, thats from smoking alot too.
Source(s):
how to quit smoking, or go to how to slowly stop and ways to easy ur anziety threw problems of life.
Find a new doctor.
I had some heart troubles for YEARS and I was only 27 when it started. My Dr. at the time kept telling me I was just an out of shape smoker (not heavy) and never did squat about it.
When I turned 32, I had to see a new Dr. due to insurance changes and the second time I told her about it, she had some tests done and I found out I have a defective heart valve. She saved my life.
Never mess with heart troubles and never trust a Dr. that won't even do tests.
Consult another doctor to get another point of view on the matter, it sounds as if your doc may be a bit dismissive of your symptoms.
IMO chest pain should always be taken seriously until all major medical causes are ruled out.
The only other thing I would add is if there is any doubt in your mind, get to a hospital when you are having one of these episodes, better safe than dead.
I don't know what's your question but if you're worried that this is related to a heart probelm.. You Should be and you should stop smoking now before it's too late. regarding the pain you have, your doctor cannot be accurate unless further tests are done but if you have a heart problem you feel chest pressure, tightness and sweating, you seem to be worried too much because you're doing bad things to yourself. Your body can take a lot of **** but be careful and stop the bad habits because you'll get seriously sick one day.
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