Pleurisy (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Some chest pain is dangerous. Sometimes even an experienced doctor can't tell you the exact cause of your pain. Pleurisy is frequently diagnosed only when other more serious causes have been ruled out.
- Use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or aspirin, to reduce the pain and inflammation.
- You may have less pain if you lie on the side that hurts.
- Avoid exerting yourself or doing anything that would cause you to breathe hard.
- Call your doctor or go to your hospital's emergency department if you can't breathe deeply or cough because of severe pain.
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Pleurisy (Pleuritis) - How Was Diagnosis Established
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Pleural Effusion »
Approximately 1 million pleural effusions are diagnosed in the United States each year.
