Pulmonology focuses on diagnosing and treating lung and airway conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, as well as overall respiratory health.
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Pleural effusion happens when too much fluid builds up in the pleural space, which is the area between the lung and the chest wall. Normally, this space has only a small amount of fluid (about 10 to 20 milliliters) to help the lungs move smoothly during breathing. The body keeps this balance through pressures in the blood vessels and by draining extra fluid through the lymphatic system. If more fluid is made or less is absorbed, pleural effusion can occur.
Pleural effusion is not a disease on its own, but a sign of another problem in the body. The extra fluid can press on the lung, making it harder to breathe and reducing oxygen exchange. At Liv Hospital, we carefully look for the underlying cause, such as heart, lung, infection, cancer, or inflammation, so we can treat both the fluid and its source.
To understand pleural effusion, it helps to know about the pleura. The pleura is a thin, moist membrane that comes from the mesoderm layer during development.
The first step in classifying pleural effusion is to tell if it is transudative or exudative. This is based on the fluid’s chemical makeup and helps doctors figure out the possible causes.
Transudative Pleural Effusion
Transudates happen when body-wide factors affect how pleural fluid is made or absorbed. The pleura itself is usually not diseased in these cases.
Exudates are caused by diseases that directly affect the pleura.
When fluid builds up in the pleural space, it directly affects how the lungs and breathing work.
Pleural effusion is common and affects millions of people worldwide. In the U.S., more than 1.5 million cases are diagnosed each year. The cause depends on the patient’s health. Heart failure is the most common reason for transudative effusions, especially in older adults. Cancer-related effusions are a major problem for people with advanced lung or breast cancer. Pneumonia-related effusions are seen in both children and adults, especially in places with less access to antibiotics. Tuberculosis is still a major cause of exudative effusions in many countries. Knowing these patterns helps doctors at Liv Hospital predict the likely cause based on each patient’s background.
While many effusions are free-flowing, meaning the fluid moves freely within the pleural space when the patient changes position, some become loculated.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
A pleural effusion is the buildup of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs, often referred to as “water on the lungs.”
No, it is not a disease itself but a symptom or complication of an underlying condition like heart failure, infection, or cancer.
Fluid in the lungs is pulmonary edema (inside the air sacs), while pleural effusion is fluid around the lungs (in the pleural space).
Directly, no. Stress does not cause fluid accumulation, but it can exacerbate underlying heart conditions that might lead to an effusion.
Small effusions may not cause symptoms and might resolve on their own if the cause is treated, but they still require medical evaluation to rule out serious causes.
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