Lung conditions are increasing day by day due to the increased exposure towards pollutants and smoking habits. Pleural effusion is one of the most common lung disorders that can lead to excessive fluid build-up between the layers of pleura present outside the lungs. You must seek the best treatments of pulmonology in Siliguri to manage the concerning symptoms of this condition.
Some of the common symptoms that one may experience with pleural effusion are orthopnoea, chest pain, and shortness of breath. There can be various underlying health conditions which can lead to protein-rich as well as watery fluid development around the lungs.
Here are some of the probable causes and effective treatment options for pleural effusion.
Causes
1. Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney disease which can be the most common cause of transudative pleural effusion. With this condition, the body may decrease the oncotic pressure which will further result in a leakage of fluid in the interstitial space. This phenomenon is considered the main reason behind the fluid build-up in pleura.
2. Heart Failure
You may develop transudative pleural effusion if you have recently suffered from congestive heart failure. This is because heart failure tends to increase the pressure in the pulmonary capillary which can also lead to the development of excessive interstitial fluid. In some cases, a low protein count in the blood can also cause it.
3. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a chronic liver condition that can cause permanent scarring in the liver while disrupting normal functioning. Portal hypertension is a common complication of cirrhosis which is also associated with the development of pleural effusion. It is pivotal to contact the best chest specialist in Siliguri to treat this condition.
4. Cancer
Pleural effusion can also be associated with certain types of cancers such as lymphoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer. When the cancer cells spread to the pleural layers near the lungs then they can contribute to the development of malignant pleural effusion that can also create a blockage in the pleural cavity.
5. Pneumonia
If you’re suffering from pneumonia then the chances of getting affected by pleural effusion is higher. The bacterial infection developed during pneumonia can cause an inflammatory reaction which then compels the fluid-containing cells in the lungs to outpour the fluid in the pleural space.
Treatment Options
If the pleural effusion is caused by a heart failure or infections then the most effective treatment methods are to prescribe heart failure medications and antibiotics. The doctor may also recommend chemo, radiation, or other cancer therapies in case of malignant effusion.
The doctor may also decide to drain the excessive fluid in the pleural cavity through a chest tube or Thoracentesis to manage the symptoms. Some of the other surgical procedures that can be used to treat pleural effusion are pleurectomy, thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
While contacting a renowned lungs specialist doctor in Siliguri, the doctor may also recommend a chest ultrasound, bronchoscopy, or CT scan to offer you an individualized treatment plan. This will help you in minimizing the risk of developing associated complications such as pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and blood clotting.
