A condition known as pleural effusion occurs when fluid builds up between the two layers of pleura that line the inside of the chest wall and the surface of the lungs. The accumulation of fluid can lead to increased lung pressure, which limits the lungs' capacity to expand completely during breathing.

There are many conditions that can cause pleural effusions. Treatment and management usually depend on the cause and severity of the condition.

Causes of pleural lung effusion

Numerous illnesses, such as infections, heart problems, respiratory disorders, and other conditions, can result in pleural effusions. Here are some common causes of pleural effusion:

Fluid leakage from other organs

Fluid leakage from other organs into the pleural cavity is one of the most common causes of pleural effusion. This results from illnesses like kidney or liver disease that impair the operation of specific organs and cause the body to retain fluid.

Certain cancers

There are several types of cancer that can cause pleural effusions. Cancer that appears in or close to the lungs or other organs may cause pleural inflammation. This inflammation causes fluid to collect between the two layers of the pleura and results in pleural effusion.

Tumors that grow near the pleura or other organs in the chest cavity may compress blood vessels or disrupt the flow of body fluids, resulting in pleural effusion.

Infectious diseases

A build-up of fluid between the pleural layers can result from infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Lung inflammation can result from pneumonia, an infection of the lung tissue. This inflammation has the potential to trigger the body's response, resulting in the production of fluid that ultimately fills the pleural cavity.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis; this infection results in inflammation and fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity.

Apart from pneumonia and TB, other viral and bacterial infections can also cause pleural effusion. Depending on the type and severity of the infection, symptoms such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain are often present, along with pleural effusion.

Lupus disease

An autoimmune condition called lupus can impact the lungs and respiratory system, among other body parts. Numerous lupus-related inflammations also have an impact on the lungs. For instance, lupus pneumonitis refers to inflammation in the lung tissue, vasculitis refers to inflammation in the blood vessels in the lungs, and so on.

Pulmonary embolism

A blood clot obstructing an artery in the lungs can result in a deadly condition known as a pulmonary embolism. This condition can affect lung function and cause pleural effusion. A pulmonary embolism happens when a blood clot breaks free and enters the lungs' arteries via the bloodstream. This clot in the blood can then obstruct blood flow and make it more difficult for oxygen to reach the lung tissue.

A pulmonary embolism can have mild to life-threatening consequences, depending on the blockage's location and size as well as your body's reaction. If a blood clot gets big enough, it can cut off oxygen from reaching lung tissue, causing damage to the tissue and eventually lung damage.

Apart from the common causes mentioned above, there are other health conditions that can also lead to pleural effusion. It is important to be aware of symptoms like coughing, fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these, you should consult your doctor in order to identify the cause. Once the cause is identified, a suitable treatment plan can be implemented.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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