What is pleural effusion?
The pleural space around the lungs allows them to expand and is lined with a thin layer of tissue called the pleura. Pleural effusion is the build-up of extra fluid in the space that can put pressure on your lungs and make it difficult to breathe or cause a lung to collapse. It’s sometimes referred to as “water on the lungs.”
Symptoms
If you have pleural effusion, you may experience:
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Coughing
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Shortness of breath
You may feel relief from some symptoms when sitting upright or standing.
Pleural Effusion
Plural effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid between the moist, double-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs - called the pleura.
What causes pleural effusion?
The cause of pleural effusion will affect the type of fluid build-up around the lungs, which is either a watery or protein-rich fluid. Some common causes of pleural effusion include:
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Influenza
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Open heart surgery or chest trauma
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Pneumonia
Tests
Diagnosing pleural effusion is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures to evaluate your condition.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the condition causing your pleural effusion and the amount of fluid in the pleural space.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Ann Mary Graham Acosta, DNP NP
Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiology & Critical Care Medicine
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Jason A Badillo, PA
Cardiology & Cardiovascular Disease
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Brian Daniel Baturin, MD
Cardiology, Cardiac Imaging & Cardiovascular Disease
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Duan Chen, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Rachael Catherine Friedel, PA
Critical Care Medicine
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Mansoor Ali Husain, BA MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Jay Grant Kirkham, DO
Pulmonary Medicine, Interventional Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine
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Lauren E. Lubrano, MD
Hospital Medicine, Pediatric Hospital Medicine & Pediatrics
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Michael Alan Matyas, MD
Diagnostic Radiology, Cardiac Imaging & Nuclear Radiology
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James David McFadden, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Kiran D. Mehta, MD
Pulmonary Medicine & Sleep Medicine
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George John Pyrgos, MD
Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Immunology & Allergy And Immunology
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Emily J. Scherer, PA
Critical Care Medicine
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John Gabriel Schneider, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Stuart Richard Willes, MD
Pulmonary Medicine, Interventional Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine
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Leslie Webster Kingslow, MD
Pulmonary Medicine & Critical Care Medicine
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.