Some Health Conditions Can Be Responsible For Pleural Effusion!

Have you ever heard about “water in the lungs”, also called pleural effusion?

In general, very few amounts of pleural fluid are present in the pleural spaces of your lungs. This fluid is not detectable by your regular health check up or by any routine methods.

When this accumulation of fluid is high in between pleural spaces, then it can lead to several heart or lung disorders such as pleural effusion.

Pleura are the thin membranes that are normally lined to your lungs and also inside your chest cavity. These membranes contain fluids that act as lubrication and also help in the respiration process.

When the accumulation of pleural fluid is more inside these spaces, then it can interfere in the normal functioning of your chest and lungs and results in pleural effusion.

Pleural effusions are very common and according to the estimation given by national cancer institute of United States, approximately 100, 000 are diagnosed with this disorder every year.

Depending on the reason for the accumulation of the fluid, the excess fluid in your pleural spaces is distinguished as either protein poor called transudative or protein rich also known as exudative. These two categories of fluid are very helpful for the physicians to determine the main causes for pleural effusion.

Most specific reasons for transudative pleural effusion include:

  1. Congestive heart failure: In almost 40% of patients suffering with pleural effusion, this is the common reason and it is present on both sides of chest. This heart failure is the most common reason for bilateral effusion to occur in an individual and if it affects only one side of your chest, then it could be probably your right portion of heart.
  2. Pericarditis: This inflammation of the pericardium is also responsible for the accumulation of fluid in the pleural spaces and can lead to pleural effusion.
  3. Liver disease: It has been estimated that about 5% of the patients who are suffering with chronic scarring liver disease can have chances to develop water in their lungs.
  4. When too much fluid is accumulated in your body tissues due to kidney disease or any bowel disorder, then this excess fluid can also be responsible for developing pleural effusion.

Pleural tumors, tuberculosis and certain viral and fungal infections in your lungs are some of the causes for exudative pleural effusion.

If you are having any of these abnormal health conditions, then be attentive towards your health and seek proper medical assistance in order to take proper precautionary measures to avoid complications.