Pleurisy is a condition that affects the pleura, a two-layered membrane covering the surface of the lungs. Medicine lists several types of pleurisy or pleuropneumonia, including purulent pleurisy, serofibrinous pleurisy, pleuritis or dry pleurisy and hemorrhagic pleurisy. There are two main causes of pleurisy, including pleural effusion and dryness of the pleura. As for the abundance of fluid or the lack of secretion at the level of the pleural membrane, these can be caused by inflammation, injury or infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. Finally, some cancers that spread to the lungs can also cause pleurisy.
Symptoms
Whatever the type of pleurisy, the characteristic symptom is pain in the chest. This pain intensifies with breathing and becomes particularly acute when coughing or sneezing. If the pleurisy is caused by a lung infection, dry cough, headache, loss of appetite, fever or chills may occur. Some more serious complications due to respiratory discomfort can lead to pale skin or profuse sweating. The patient may also have bluish lips and swelling on the eyelids.
Homeopathic treatments
The manifestation of pleural pain is not the same in all patients suffering from pleurisy. The same is true for factors that could increase or reduce pain. Nevertheless, in almost all cases of pleurisy, Bryonia remains the basic remedy and is generally used at 15 CH. If treatment with Bryonia fails, Abrotanum ranging from 3 to 30 CH may be prescribed, depending on the symptoms. But to reduce the pain at the beginning of the inflammation, taking Aconite 4 CH every hour is often indicated. The treatment is stopped as soon as the patient sweats profusely or after 12 hours of consecutive intake.
In the case of sero-fibrinous pleurisy, the effusion in the pleura may worsen. It is characterized by sharp pain and difficulty breathing. If the inhalation of warm air accentuates the pain, Apis Mellifica 5 CH is indicated. Arsenicum Album 4 CH may also be taken, especially if the effusion does not appear immediately after chest pain. But in case of severe symptoms with abundant effusion, heavy sweating and cloudy urine, Cantharis 5 CH can be prescribed. Finally, in case of purulent effusion, Veratrum Viride 5 CH, Hepar Sulfur 5 CH or Naja 4 CH can be taken.
Sometimes, pleurisy is resistant to certain treatments and may take a chronic form. The pain becomes difficult to calm and the respiratory discomfort is more and more oppressive. Specific remedies to treat pleurisy in this form are based on Sulfur Iodatum, often recommended to treat certain forms of bronchitis and pneumonia characterized by suffocating breathing. Thus, one dose of Sulfur Iodatum 15 CH can be taken once a week for two or three months. In order to accelerate the effects of the treatment, it is often indicated to combine it with other remedies.
When to see a doctor?
Generally, a simple respiratory discomfort should lead to a medical consultation. But you should not hesitate to consult a doctor when a dry cough is accompanied by chest pain. It is also recommended to undergo a medical examination as soon as you feel shortness of breath or abnormal fatigue at the slightest effort. Finally, if a previous treatment fails, it is advisable to return to your doctor.
