Understanding the Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Pleural Effusion Symptoms

A pleural effusion occurs when fluid accumulates between the layers of the membrane that line the chest cavity and lungs.

The human body produces small amounts of pleural fluid to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura, which is the thin membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. An abnormal collection of this fluid is called a pleural effusion.

Two different types of effusions can develop in humans. Transudative pleural effusions can be caused by abnormal lung pressure or congestive heart failure. Often caused by lung disease, exudative effusions occur when the pleura becomes inflamed.  Examples of lung disease include pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, asbestosis, drug reactions and sarcoidosis.

Common symptoms of a pleural effusion include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chest pain (often a sharp pain that is worse with deep breaths or coughs)
• Rapid breathing
• Hiccups

However, in some cases, there may be no symptoms.

During a physical exam, a physician will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope and may tap on your chest to listen for dullness. Chest x-rays, ultrasounds of the chest, pleural fluid analysis, thoracentesis or a thoracic CT may help to confirm a diagnosis.

The type and cause of pleural effusion is usually determined by thoracentesis, where a fluid sample is taken from between the ribs with a needle.

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