Answer:
Dear
Toni,
Each
lung is completely surrounded by two thin layers of lining called
the pleura and is subdivided into smaller parts, called lobes.
If the
lining of the lung becomes infected, pleurisy has occurred.
Pleurisy
is an infection of the lung.
Hilar
adenopathy is another way of saying the lymph nodes in the upper middle
area of the lungs near the heart are larger than usual.
It may
be helpful to compare your CT scan with your past chest x-rays.
A thorough
history and physical examination should be performed to diagnose or
exclude life-threatening causes of pleuritic pain before making a
diagnosis of pleurisy.
Pulmonary
embolism is the most frequently observed life-threatening cause of
pleuritic chest pain, and it should be considered in all patients
with pleuritic pain. Evaluation should include validated clinical
decision rules, D-dimer testing, and imaging studies as needed.
Patients
with pleuritic pain should undergo chest radiography to diagnose or
rule out underlying pneumonia.
NSAIDs
should be prescribed for pleuritic pain.
Pleurisy
is inflammation of the parietal pleura that typically results in characteristic
pleuritic pain and has a variety of possible causes.
Pleurisy
t may be secondary to a variety of disease states, both benign and
more threatening.
NSAIDs are the mainstay of pleurisy treatment. Narcotics may be used
for additional pain control.
The pain
of pleurisy is usually treated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory
drugs, such as acetaminophen , ibuprofen, and indomethacin.
Alternative
treatments can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment
to help heal pleurisy.
Acupuncture
and botanical medicines are alternative approaches for alleviating
pleural pain and breathing problems.
Once
the underlying cause of your pleurisy is identified, your doctor will
take steps to treat it.
Your
doctor may administer antibiotics for an infection. In addition to
this, your doctor may prescribe
anti-inflammatory drugs or pain medicines, such as aspirin, to remedy
the inflammation. Sometimes, a
codeine-based cough syrup will be prescribed to control a painful
cough.
In the
case of pleural effusion, your doctor will direct treatment towards
the underlying cause of the fluid.
If the pleural fluid is infected or the amount is excessive, the doctor
may drain it through a tube inserted in your chest, a procedure that
requires hospitalization.
