How Long Does Pleurisy Last?

How long does pleurisy last? It is impossible to answer this question since every case of pleurisy is different. The reason we cannot answer how long pleurisy lasts is because pleurisy is caused by an underlying health problem. The condition usually lasts until the time when the underlying problem is resolved, if it can be resolved.

Pleurisy will last until the underlying condition that is causing it is cured.

• The condition known as pleurisy is one of the many ailments that a person can experience that is actually caused by another condition. This means that in many cases the pleurisy and its symptoms are considered to be secondary.
• When the underlying condition causing the pleurisy is diagnosed and the treatment begins for that condition, the time it takes to treat that underlying condition is usually the determining factor in how long the pleurisy will last.

If the primary condition is one of a permanent nature that cannot be cured, such as tuberculosis, then the inflammation that occurs with pleurisy is often treated directly with an anti-inflammatory or a mild steroid in order to relieve the individual of the symptoms which are associated with the condition. 

• In such cases, when the pleurisy is treated instead of the underlying condition, the pleurisy will usually last until the steroids or other treatments kick in.

What Is Pleurisy

Now that you know how long pleurisy can last, you might wish to learn more about what pleurisy does to your body.

Pleurisy is the name of the condition that causes the severe inflammation of the layer of pleura that lines the pleural cavity, This is the tissue that creates the cavity surrounding both of the lungs.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pleurisy can range greatly:

• The mildest symptoms include pain in the chest upon breathing deeply or coughing spells that result in the releasing of blood and tissues.
• Pleurisy also results in severe chest pain for the person suffering the condition.
• The reason for the pain during inhalation is that the layers of the pleura are inflamed and rub against each other as the breath is drawn in when the lungs are expanded with air. 

Causes of Pleurisy

Part of why it is hard to answer how long pleurisy will last is because the list of conditions that can result in an individual experiencing pleurisy is expansive and varies greatly.

• Conditions that cause pleurisy as a secondary problem range from a simple viral infection to lung cancers and lymphoma.

• Systemic lupus, mesothelioma, and pulmonary embolisms are all common causes of the pleural condition.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases and cystic fibrosis can also cause pleurisy.
• Pleurisy can also be a condition of an idiopathic nature. This means that it may be diagnosed even though no known cause or primary condition is directly related to it. 

Treatment of Pleurisy

In order to be relieved of the symptoms associated with pleurisy, surgery may need to be performed to drain any possible fluid or blood from the lung cavity. Excess fluid can cause the lung to collapse if too much pressure is built up by the fluid’s presence. Outside of possible surgeries, medications that target inflammations, such as acetaminophen, are prescribed, as well as cough syrups that contain a pian reliever and cough suppressant.