An Examination of Pleurisy

2202 Words9 Pages
An Examination of Pleurisy Edward Curry Rasmussen College Author Note This research is being submitted on August, 27, 2012, for Joanna Vance’s G150/PHA1500 Section 03 Structure and Function of the Human Body. Introduction This is an examination of the development, physiological effects, and a look at how to prevent the disease known as pleurisy within the human body. In this paper we will examine the disease known as pleurisy and define what pleurisy is. We will look into the causes of the disease and which organ system it affects. In addition, we will see how we can identify the symptoms of pleurisy, what treatments are available to combat it and the steps one can take to prevent it. Examining Pleurisy Pleurisy, which can also be identified as pleuritis, is a condition that creates a swelling of the epithelial linings of the lungs, known as the pleura. Pleurisy can manifest itself in many different forms within our bodies. These may include, Adhesive pleurisy where the inflammation actually causes the outer parietal pleura of the lungs or thoracic cavity to stick or adhere to the inner visceral pleura, Dry pleurisy which is a condition where the pleura become covered in a fibrinous mass and Hemorrhagic pleurisy, this is where the pleurisy is associated with the presence of blood ("Pleurisy," 2009; Crosta, 2009). Pleurisy is a disease that may occur within a small area of the pleura or it may encompass a large portion, in fact, it can even occur within both lungs at the same time. ("Pleurisy," 2010). The pleura which are somewhat like an air mattress or water bed in that there are two sides or membranes and a space in between which acts like a cushion. If one was to go to sleep on an air mattress that developed a leak and the cushioning of the air was lost, they would wake up in pain as the pressure of their body made contact with the ground below;
Open Document