What Is a Hydrothorax?

Pleural effusion is a disease in which there is leakage of fluid in the thorax without inflammatory changes in the pleura. It is a symptom of other organs or systemic diseases. It is often characterized by dyspnea. The main cause is anemia.

Hydrothorax

Pleural effusion is a disease in which there is leakage of fluid in the thorax without inflammatory changes in the pleura. It is a symptom of other organs or systemic diseases. It is often characterized by dyspnea. The main cause is anemia.

Chinese name

Hydrothorax

Main features

Dyspnea

Main cause

Caused by heart disease and certain chronic diseases of the lungs or venous trunks due to impaired blood circulation.

The main symptoms are dyspnea, normal body temperature, and high heart sounds. During the chest wall percussion, horizontal dullness appeared on both sides, and the position of the dullness boundary changed with the patient's position. During auscultation, no alveolar sounds are heard in the dullness area, sometimes audible

It is not difficult to confirm the diagnosis based on the systemic symptoms such as lack of heat waiting and the horizontal dullness of percussion. But with

Diagnose based on

1. Chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath.

2. There may be no positive signs when the amount of pleural effusion is small. When the amount of effusion is large, the respiratory movement on the affected side weakens, speech tremors disappear, dullness or solid sounds on percussion, respiratory sounds weaken or disappear, and trachea, mediastinum, and heart move to the healthy side.

3. X-ray examination: The costal ridge angle becomes dull when there is a small amount of effusion, a large dense shadow can be seen in the medium amount of effusion, and the "diaphragm" on the affected side can be seen as an increase in the effusion on the affected side.

4. Ultrasonic inspection: visible level section.

5. Withdraw fluid from thoracentesis, and routine, biochemical, immunological, and cytological examination of pleural fluid. It can be identified as exudate or leakage, which is helpful for the diagnosis of the cause.

The principle of treatment is to strengthen nursing, restrict drinking water, strengthen heart and diuresis, and eliminate water accumulation. Cardiac diuresis can be subcutaneously injected with caffeine, sodium cocoline, salicylic acid, digitalis preparations, pilocarpine hydrochloride, and the like. To promote the absorption of standing water. Prednisone can also be injected for prevention

Actively prevent and cure primary diseases. Hydrothorax is part of a chest or systemic illness, so active prevention of primary disease is the key to preventing this disease.

Enhance physical fitness and improve disease resistance. Actively participate in a variety of suitable physical exercises, such as Tai Chi, Tai Chi Sword, Qigong, etc. to enhance physical fitness and improve disease resistance.

Pay attention to life. Patients with pleural effusions should stay dry to avoid the invasion of wet spirits, not to eat cold, not to overeating, and to maintain normal spleen and stomach function. After getting sick, treat in time, avoid wind and cold, live carefully, and be emotional, so as to recover as soon as possible.

Pay attention to diet and avoid fatigue.

Avoid getting cold to prevent respiratory infections and quit smoking.

Pay attention to eating a diet rich in crude fiber, high in calories, and high in protein.

Follow the doctor's advice to take the medicine on time and check it out regularly.

As soon as chest pain and dyspnea occur, go to the hospital immediately.