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
Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease & Critical Care Medicine
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Jason A Badillo, PA
Cardiology & Cardiovascular Disease
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Brian Daniel Baturin, MD
Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
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Duan Chen, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Rachael Catherine Friedel, PA
Critical Care Medicine
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Frank Groshek, MD
Diagnostic Radiology & Interventional Radiology
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Mansoor Ali Husain, BA MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Jay Grant Kirkham, DO
Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Interventional Pulmonology & Pulmonary Medicine
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Lauren E. Lubrano, MD
Hospital Medicine, Pediatrics & Pediatric Hospital Medicine
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Michael Alan Matyas, MD
Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Radiology & Cardiac Imaging
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James David McFadden, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Lauren M. Psota, AGACNP-BC MSN
Critical Care Medicine
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Kamryn Sheffield, MMS PA
Critical Care Medicine
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Stuart Richard Willes, MD
Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine & Interventional Pulmonology
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Benjamin Goldstein, MD
Hospice And Palliative Medicine & Geriatric Medicine
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Leslie Webster Kingslow, MD
Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease & Pulmonary 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.