Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid or pus within the two covering layers of the lungs. This usually results from Infection of the heart or lungs, or as a result of injury or advanced cancer. Pleural effusion is characterized by fever, localized pain, dry hacking cough, and breathlessness. Pleural effusion is usually treated by the appropriate antibiotics and other symptomatic treatment. Removal of the fluid with the help of a syringe and needle can help to reduce the pressure on the lungs and can also be used for diagnostic purposes.
Pleural effusion which results from Infection or heart failure can be usually treated with modern medicines. Antibiotics are usually effective in most patients in treating the pleural effusion and helping to reduce or resolve the accumulated fluids. The management of pleural effusion usually includes treatment of any known cause for the condition. However, some patients do not improve in spite of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Such patients can be effectively managed with the judicious use of Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Ayurvedic treatment helps to resolve the accumulation of fluid and also controls the Infection. Treatment for about 8 to 12 weeks is usually sufficient to treat pleural effusion in most patients. The treatment also adequately treats other symptoms like fever, pain, and breathlessness. Most such patients also tend to lose considerable weight after getting affected with pleural effusion. Appropriate Ayurvedic treatment helps such patients to regain the lost weight. Such patients also have improved appetite and become active within a few weeks of starting treatment.
It is equally important to treat the known cause for the pleural effusion. Infections within the respiratory tract and lungs have to be treated appropriately. Heart failure and other disorders of the heart also need to be treated appropriately. Advanced cancer needs to be treated aggressively along with symptomatic treatment of the pleural effusion, in order to adequately treat the medical condition. It is important to investigate the patient thoroughly in order to look for hidden infection related to tuberculosis. Tuberculosis if detected needs to be treated aggressively.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus effective in the management of refractory pleural effusion.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
