How to Treat Pleurisy

Pleurisy is a viral infection. The membrane around the lungs and rib cage becomes inflamed, causing painful breathing and sometimes excess fluid in between the membrane's layers. Physicians will employ various means to treat pleurisy which, depending on its severity, can range from a simple aspirin to surgery. Natural remedies can help ease various symptoms, making patients more comfortable.

Instructions

1. Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, and be sure to take each and every one of them.

2. Prepare yourself if a steroidal anti-inflammatory is prescribed because some people find they make them jittery. Hopefully your doctor will want you to take non-steroidal drugs. They can help relieve some of the more uncomfortable symptoms of pleurisy without making you feel like you are on speed.

3. Get rid of the painful cough that usually accompanies pleurisy with a good codeine-based cough syrup prescribed by your physician.

4. Follow medical advice to avoid having to be hospitalized. Without proper care, complications can occur and excessive fluid can build up and cause pus to form. If that happens you will need to have the fluid drained through a tube inserted into your chest.

5. Try supplementing your prescribed treatment with vitamins if sanctioned by your physician. Some studies have shown high doses of Vitamin C and A can help fight infection.

6. Brew some pleurisy root tea, with your doctor's approval of course, for a natural way of keeping your chest and lungs cleared out. The tea will help you cough up mucus so you can get rid of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Early treatment of respiratory infections can prevent pleurisy.

• Consult a physician to diagnose and treat pleurisy and before using any vitamins or natural remedies.

Resources

• Learn about diseases and ailments and use the symptoms checker.
• Search this site for natural remedies for pleurisy.