What Is Pleurisy And What Causes It?

Pleurisy is a type of breathing condition that occurs when the pleura lining the lungs and chest cavity get irritated. When the pleura are inflamed, they rub against each other and make each breath hurt. This condition is characterized by chest pain that gets worse whenever individuals take a breath, sneeze, or cough. Some patients run a fever or find their shoulders and neck also hurt. In severe cases of pleurisy, fluid can build up between the layers of tissue and potentially put pressure on the lungs, triggering coughing and making it hard to breathe.