How to Relieve Pleurisy Pain: 4 Safe and Quick Home Remedies

Pleurisy is a condition where the membranes surrounding the lungs become inflamed, causing a sharp chest pain with every breath, especially when coughing, sneezing, or taking a deep breath. According to statistics, chest pain is one of the symptoms that lead millions of people to emergency care each year, and pleuritic pain is a cause that cannot be ignored as it can be linked to various lung and cardiovascular diseases. If not managed properly, the pain can persist, affecting sleep, mobility, and quality of life.

In this article, Tiptory will guide you through safe at-home methods to relieve pleuritic pain, commonly prescribed medications, and when to seek medical attention. You will also understand why treating the underlying cause of pleurisy is key to long-term pain relief and preventing recurrence.

Proper Pleurisy Pain Relief

Treating the underlying cause of pleurisy is the top priority

• Pleurisy often occurs due to various causes such as viral infections, bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, pulmonary embolism, or other lung conditions.

• To effectively and lastingly relieve pleuritic pain, doctors will accurately identify the cause to determine the appropriate treatment method.

• When the cause is well-controlled, the inflammation will gradually decrease, thereby alleviating pleuritic pain and reducing the risk of recurrence.

Use pain relievers as directed

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to relieve pleuritic pain short-term.

• Patients should take medication at the recommended dosage or as prescribed by a doctor, especially if they have a history of stomach, liver, kidney, or cardiovascular disease.

• Do not self-medicate with multiple types of pain relievers at once to avoid increasing the risk of side effects.

Control coughing to reduce pain when breathing

• Prolonged coughing can exacerbate pleuritic pain due to continuous friction of the pleura.

• In some cases, doctors may prescribe appropriate cough suppressants to help patients rest better and reduce pain.

• Do not self-medicate with cough suppressants without identifying the cause of the cough, especially if there is a lot of phlegm or high fever.

Remove excess fluid around the lungs when necessary

• If pleurisy is accompanied by significant pleural effusion, the doctor may order aspiration or drainage of the fluid.

• Removing excess fluid helps reduce pressure on the lungs, improves breathing, and more effectively relieves pleuritic pain.

• This is a medical procedure that needs to be performed in a healthcare facility and cannot be done at home.

Monitor symptoms and follow up as scheduled

• If chest pain increases, shortness of breath worsens, high fever persists, or hemoptysis occurs, patients should go to the hospital immediately for evaluation and timely treatment.

• Scheduled follow-up appointments help the doctor monitor the progress of pleurisy, adjust the treatment plan if necessary, and prevent dangerous complications.

Part 1: At-Home Tips for Pleurisy Pain Relief

Tip 1: Use pain relievers correctly

Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed

• Pleuritic pain typically feels like sharp chest pain, especially when taking a deep breath, coughing, sneezing, or moving the chest.

• To relieve pleuritic pain, you can use some over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if there are no contraindications.

• These medications help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve discomfort during respiration.

Adhere strictly to dosage and duration of use

• Always read the instructions carefully or use medication as prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist.

• Do not arbitrarily increase the dose, use more frequently than recommended, or extend the duration of use, as this can increase the risk of side effects such as gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or impaired kidney function.

• Individuals with a history of stomach, kidney, liver, heart disease, or those taking anticoagulants should consult a doctor before using anti-inflammatory drugs.

Contact a doctor if pain does not improve

• If over-the-counter pain relievers do not help relieve pleuritic pain or the pain becomes increasingly severe, seek medical attention for examination.

• The doctor will evaluate the cause of pleurisy, the extent of the damage, and consider adjusting the dose or prescribing stronger pain relievers when truly necessary.

• Do not arbitrarily increase the dose or combine multiple types of pain relievers without medical advice, as this may increase the risk of unwanted side effects without providing better treatment efficacy.

Tip 2: Reduce coughing to relieve chest pain

Control coughing to relieve pleuritic pain

• When suffering from pleurisy, every cough causes the pleura to rub more intensely, making pleuritic pain more severe and prolonged.

• If you cough a lot, you might consider using over-the-counter cough suppressants to limit continuous coughing, thereby helping to relieve pleuritic pain and allowing your body to rest better.

• It is advisable to take medication as soon as coughing starts and always adhere to the instructions regarding dosage, frequency, and duration of use.

Consult a doctor if cough suppressants are ineffective

• If over-the-counter cough suppressants do not improve symptoms, seek medical attention to have the cause of the cough evaluated.

• In some cases, a doctor may prescribe codeine-containing cough suppressants when the treatment benefits outweigh the risks, especially for persistent dry coughs that cause significant pain.

• Codeine-containing medications should only be used with a prescription and under medical supervision; do not self-medicate or extend the duration of use.

Caution when using codeine-containing medications

• Codeine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, or respiratory depression, especially when taken in high doses or combined with alcohol, sedatives, and some other pain relievers.

• The medication also carries a risk of dependence if used incorrectly or for an extended period.

• Take the correct dose and duration as instructed by your doctor and report immediately if you experience shortness of breath, excessive drowsiness, or severe side effects.

Do not overlook the cause of the cough

• Cough suppressants only help control symptoms, they do not treat the underlying cause of pleurisy.

• If the cough persists, accompanied by high fever, shortness of breath, increased chest pain, or hemoptysis, you need to see a doctor early for diagnosis and treatment of the cause, thereby effectively relieving pleuritic pain and preventing complications.

Tip 3: Choose a suitable pain-relieving position

Change positions to relieve pleuritic pain

• When suffering from pleurisy, simply changing your position can help reduce the feeling of chest pain while breathing.

• Try adjusting your sitting or lying position to find one that feels most comfortable, as the severity of pleuritic pain can vary depending on how your body is positioned.

Lie on the painful side

• For many people, lying on the side of the chest affected by pleurisy can help alleviate pain.

• This position limits the movement of the affected lung, thereby reducing friction between the two pleural membranes when inhaling and exhaling.

• You can use an extra pillow to support your back or hug a pillow to your chest to increase comfort while resting.

Maintain a position that facilitates comfortable breathing

• Prioritize positions that help you breathe easily and reduce pressure on your chest, while avoiding positions that increase pleuritic pain.

• If you have to sit for long periods, keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and change positions periodically to prevent muscle stiffness or increased pain.

Monitor pain levels when changing positions

• Changing positions only provides temporary pleuritic pain relief and does not replace treatment for the underlying cause of the condition.

• If the pain remains severe despite rest and position adjustments, or if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, high fever, or rapidly worsening chest pain, you should seek medical attention for timely evaluation and treatment.

Tip 4: Rest for lung recovery

Limit activity during acute pain phase

• When suffering from pleurisy, deep breathing or strenuous activity can cause the two pleural membranes to rub more, making pleuritic pain more severe.

• During symptomatic periods, reduce strenuous activities such as running, climbing stairs quickly, lifting heavy objects, or playing sports.

• Only perform light daily activities to allow the body time to recover.

Prioritize adequate rest

• Adequate rest helps reduce pressure on the lungs, supports the body's fight against inflammation, and promotes the recovery process.

• Try to get enough sleep, take breaks during the day if you feel tired, and avoid overexertion.

• However, you should not remain completely immobile for extended periods. You should still move gently as you are able to maintain blood circulation and reduce the risk of complications from inactivity.

Avoid overly strenuous breathing

• During the pleuritic pain phase, breathe slowly and naturally, avoiding trying to inhale too deeply if it increases the pain.

• As the pain subsides, you can gradually return to normal breathing as advised by your doctor to maintain lung function.

Be patient during the recovery process

• Many cases of viral pleurisy can resolve on their own within a few days to a few weeks with rest and appropriate symptomatic treatment.

• Recovery time depends on the cause of the illness, the degree of inflammation, and each individual's health status. Therefore, adhere to the treatment plan and follow up as scheduled if advised by your doctor.

Seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve

• If pleuritic pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by high fever, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, or severe chest pain, you should go to a healthcare facility immediately for evaluation and timely treatment.

Part 2: Medically Approved Pleurisy Treatment Methods

Method 1: Pleural fluid aspiration when necessary

Pleural fluid aspiration to reduce pressure on the lungs

• If pleurisy is accompanied by significant pleural effusion, the doctor may recommend pleural fluid aspiration (thoracentesis).

• This procedure helps remove excess fluid around the lungs, reducing pressure on the lungs and pleura, thereby helping to relieve pleuritic pain and improve shortness of breath.

• Fluid aspiration also helps obtain fluid samples to identify the cause of pleurisy, such as infection, cancer, or other medical conditions.

How is the procedure performed?

• The procedure is typically performed in a hospital or specialized respiratory medical facility.

• The patient will sit on a chair or the edge of the bed, leaning slightly forward to allow the doctor easier access to the pleural cavity.

• The doctor will sterilize the skin, administer local anesthesia, and then insert a needle or small catheter into the pleural cavity to aspirate the fluid. In many current cases, the procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance to increase accuracy and reduce the risk of complications.

What can you feel during the procedure?

• Thanks to local anesthesia, most patients only feel pressure or slight discomfort when the needle is inserted.

• As the fluid is aspirated, you may feel it easier to breathe and the pleuritic pain gradually decrease as pressure on the pleura is relieved.

• The procedure typically does not take long, but you will be monitored afterward to ensure safety.

Notes after pleural fluid aspiration

• Patients need to follow the doctor's instructions, monitor for any unusual signs such as increased shortness of breath, severe chest pain, persistent coughing, or fever after the procedure, and report them immediately to medical staff if they occur.

• Although fluid aspiration helps relieve pleuritic pain and improve symptoms quickly, treating the underlying cause of pleurisy remains the deciding factor in preventing fluid reaccumulation and limiting recurrence.

Method 2: Drainage for severe cases

Pleural drainage for significant effusion

• If pleurisy causes a large pleural effusion, a single aspiration may not be enough to remove all the fluid.

• In this case, the doctor may recommend placing a pleural drainage tube to continuously remove fluid, which helps reduce pressure on the lungs, improve respiration, and more effectively relieve pleuritic pain.

• This method is often applied to patients with severe symptoms or significant accumulation of pleural fluid.

Performed in hospital with inpatient monitoring required

• The drainage tube placement procedure is performed under sterile conditions in a hospital by a specialist doctor.

• After local anesthesia, the doctor will insert a soft plastic tube into the pleural cavity to slowly drain the fluid.

• Patients need to be hospitalized for close monitoring throughout the treatment process to control the amount of fluid drained and detect any complications early.

Drainage duration may extend for several days

• Depending on the amount of fluid and the cause of pleurisy, the drainage tube may need to remain in place for several days to ensure almost complete removal of the fluid.

• During this time, the doctor will monitor respiratory status, and perform X-rays or lung ultrasounds as needed to assess treatment effectiveness.

• Once the fluid has significantly reduced and the lung has re-expanded, the drainage tube will be removed.

Continue treating the underlying cause of pleurisy

• Fluid drainage helps relieve pleuritic pain and improve symptoms, but it does not replace treating the underlying cause of the disease.

• Depending on the case, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, medications for autoimmune diseases, or other specific treatments to prevent fluid reaccumulation and limit recurrence.

• If chest pain, shortness of breath, or persistent fever reoccur after treatment, the patient needs to have a follow-up examination immediately for assessment and timely management.

Method 3: Pleural fluid test

Pleural fluid analysis to identify the cause

• After aspiration or drainage, the doctor will send a pleural fluid sample to the lab to find the cause of pleurisy.

• Accurately identifying the cause helps select the appropriate treatment method, thereby effectively reducing pleurisy pain and limiting the risk of recurrence.

• This is an important step because pleurisy can stem from many different conditions, not just infections.

Possible causes that can be detected

• Pleural fluid samples can be analyzed to look for signs related to:

  • Bacterial or fungal infections.

  • Pleural tuberculosis.

  • Heart failure causing pleural effusion.

  • Tumors or cancer.

  • Autoimmune and rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.

• Depending on the case, the doctor may also order additional tests such as bacterial culture, cytology, biochemical tests, or other specialized techniques to increase accuracy.

Discuss results thoroughly with your doctor

• Once test results are available, discuss them with your doctor to understand the cause of pleurisy, the severity of the condition, and the treatment plan.

• You can ask about treatment goals, expected recovery time, medications to be used, and follow-up appointments to monitor progress.

• Understanding the diagnosis will help you adhere to treatment better, contributing to reducing pleurisy pain and preventing long-term complications.

Treat according to the exact cause of the disease

• Once the cause is identified, the doctor will develop an appropriate treatment regimen. For example, bacterial infections may require antibiotics, pleural tuberculosis needs anti-tuberculosis drugs, and autoimmune diseases will be controlled with specialized medications.

• Treating the correct cause not only helps improve symptoms but is also a decisive factor in sustainably reducing pleurisy pain and preventing recurrent pleural effusion.

Method 4: Treating the underlying cause

Use medication according to the exact cause of pleurisy

• Pleurisy is not a standalone disease but often a complication of other medical conditions. Therefore, to achieve long-term pleurisy pain relief, it is necessary to treat the underlying cause of the inflammation.

• After examination and test results, the doctor will develop a suitable treatment regimen for each patient.

• Patients must take medication at the correct dose, for the correct duration, and should not stop medication arbitrarily even if symptoms have subsided.

Use antibiotics if the cause is an infection

• If pleurisy is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics appropriate for the type of bacteria and the severity of the infection.

• Completing the full course of treatment helps eliminate the causative agent, reduce inflammation, and aid in reducing pleurisy pain, while also limiting the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Treat fungal infections with antifungal medication

• In cases of pleurisy caused by fungi, patients will be prescribed appropriate antifungal medication.

• The treatment duration may vary depending on the severity of the fungal infection and the individual's health, so regular follow-up appointments are necessary to assess effectiveness.

Treat cancer if there is a related tumor

• If the cause is a tumor or cancer, the doctor will collaborate with an oncologist to choose the appropriate treatment method.

• Depending on the case, the patient may be prescribed chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or surgery.

• When the underlying condition is controlled, pleurisy pain and pleural effusion also often improve.

Treat heart failure if it is the cause of the effusion

• If pleural effusion is related to heart failure, the doctor may prescribe diuretics to help the body excrete excess fluid.

• Controlling heart failure helps reduce fluid accumulation around the lungs, improves respiratory function, and aids in reducing pleurisy pain.

Do not arbitrarily change the treatment regimen

• Each cause of pleurisy will have a different treatment method. Arbitrarily taking or stopping medication can prolong the illness or increase the risk of complications.

• Keep follow-up appointments so that the doctor can monitor treatment response and adjust medication when necessary, helping to effectively control the disease and reduce the risk of recurrence.

References

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Content editor: Lesley Collins Tran.

Information consulted and verified by expert: Andrew Collins.