How To Treat Pleural Effusion

Treating The Cause

Treating the cause is imperative to prevent the risk of pleural effusion recurrence. If congestive heart failure is the cause, surgeries, medications, and dietary changes are often combined to manage the congestion. With a pulmonary embolism, emergency treatment is typically needed since this can be a life-threatening condition. Doctors might use surgery to remove the clot. Pneumonia is typically treated with antibiotics, fluids, and rest. The type of kidney disease will determine the treatment. In the most severe cases, hemodialysis might be needed. If there is a tumor, doctors may use radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy to either remove it or at least debulk it so it is smaller.

Learn about the risks associated with treating pleural effusion now.