What you should know about Pleurisy
Pleurisy causes, symptoms, and care

Pleurisy is caused by swelling and irritation of the membrane that surrounds the lungs. It is usually a symptom of another illness and is also called Pleuritic Chest Pain.
Causes of Pleurisy
Pleurisy can develop from many things, including TB, lupus, chest injury or trauma, a blood clot in the lung, bacterial or viral infections of the lungs (such as pneumonia) or cancer.
Signs/Symptoms of Pleurisy

Pleurisy is characterized by a severe chest pain that starts suddenly. The pain is often strong or stabbing when you take a deep breath and usually subsides or disappears between breaths . Deep breathing and coughing often make it worse. It's usually felt on one side of the stomach area or lower chest.
You may also have a fever, pain when moving, or fast, shallow breathing. Usually, you will be able to point to the exact location of the pain. In some people, the pain spreads to the neck, shoulder, or abdomen.
Care for Pleurisy
Pain relieving medicine can be prescribed by your doctor while the doctor searches for a cause to fix the problem.
Risks of Pleurisy
Although some cases of pleurisy clear up by themselves, it's more likely that your lung problems will get worse. Possible problems include pneumonia or fluid build-up in the lining of the lungs. Many problems can cause damage to the lungs and affect your ability to breathe.
Tips for Pleurisy patients
• Never quit taking medicine on your own. Take as directed every time, consulting your doctor if the medicine doesn’t seem to work or if you’re not satisfied.
• Continue to take antibiotics until they are all gone--even if you feel well. This will prevent you from creating antibiotic-resistant germs.
• Never drive or use heavy equipment if you are taking medication that makes you drowsy.
• Quitting smoking is essential here, since it’s so harmful for the lungs
• Take 2 or 3 deep breaths and then cough to help keep your lungs free of infection. Do this often during the day.
• Do not eat or drink foods that contain milk if you are coughing up sputum and milk seems to make the sputum thicker,
• Be sure to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day if you do not have to limit the amount of liquids you drink. This helps thin the sputum so it can be coughed up more easily.
• Use a humidifier to help keep the air moist and your sputum thin. This makes it easier to cough up the sputum. You must keep the humidifier free of fungus.
• You may return to work or school when your temperature is around 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C).