Let's learn about the pleura that covers your lungs.

Have you ever heard the word "pleura"? You may have heard this word from your doctor, in a hospital, or when talking about health. It is a very important part of our body, especially the respiratory system. But many people do not know much about it. So, today we will talk about what this pleura is, what service it provides to our body, what diseases it can cause, and how to keep it healthy in a very simple way that you can understand.

What exactly is pleura?

Simply put, your pleura is a thin, fluid-filled membrane that covers your lungs, like a book cover. It wraps around your lungs and protects them. It also lines the inside of your chest wall (thorax). It's a vital part of your respiratory system .

So, what service does this pleural membrane provide for us?

The main and most important function of this pleura is to protect your lungs. Also, when we breathe, the lungs inflate and deflate, right? When that happens, it is this pleura that prevents the lungs from rubbing against the chest wall. Imagine what would happen if this pleura were not there. If the lungs continue to rub against the chest wall, they can become injured and hurt. So, this pleura acts like a cushion and helps the lungs move smoothly without any obstruction. That is why we can breathe easily without any pain.

Where in the body is this pleura located?

Let's take a look at some of the locations where your pleura is located:

• First of all, you have your chest wall (thoracic wall), the inside of which is almost completely covered by this pleura.
• Next, this pleura extends around your heart. Then, there's the middle part of your chest cavity, which is called the mediastinum, and this pleura also helps to form the side walls.
• Finally, and most importantly, the surface of both of your lungs is completely covered by this pleura, like a pair of gloves.

What parts are there in the pleura?

The pleura is not a single membrane. It has two main layers. Between these two layers there is a small empty space, like a pocket. We call this the pleural space . This pleural space is not just empty. Inside it is a very thin layer of fluid called pleural fluid . This fluid is very important. Because, when you breathe, it is this pleural fluid that helps the two layers of the pleura slide over each other. This is like putting oil in a machine.

Now let's see what those two layers of the pleura are:

• Visceral pleura: This is the innermost layer of the pleura. It directly covers your lungs, the blood vessels that go to them, the bronchi, and the nerves. The special thing about this is that there are no sensory nerves in the visceral pleura. This means that you don't feel any pain when something happens to this layer.
• Parietal pleura: This is the other layer of pleura, the outer one. It is attached to your chest wall, chest muscles, and the diaphragm at the top of your chest. Unlike the visceral pleura, which was previously mentioned, the parietal pleura is very sensitive to pain. This means that if this layer is damaged or swollen, you can feel severe pain.

What are the common diseases that can affect the pleura?

Unfortunately, this pleura can also be affected by various diseases and disorders. Let's take a look at some of them:

• Pleurisy: You've probably heard of this. Simply put, it 's an inflammation of your pleura. Just like when we have an injury somewhere in our body, the pleura can swell up in this way. Then, when we breathe or cough, we can feel a sharp pain in our chest.
• Pleural effusion: This is when the pleural space we talked about earlier has too much pleural fluid, meaning it accumulates more than it should. When this happens, the lungs don't have enough room to inflate properly, which can cause difficulty breathing.
• Hemothorax: "Hemo" means blood. This is when blood collects in the pleural space. This usually happens after a serious injury to the chest. For example, a car accident, a fall from a height, or a stab wound. When this blood collects, it puts a lot of pressure on the lungs, making it very difficult to breathe.
• Pneumothorax: "Pneumo" means air. This is when air enters the pleural space and puts pressure on the lungs. This can also happen after an accident. However, it can sometimes happen for no reason, especially if you are a smoker. It is also a risk for people who travel frequently on airplanes or who are exposed to large changes in air pressure, such as scuba diving.
• Hemopneumothorax: This is a combination of the previously mentioned hemothorax and pneumothorax. This means that both blood and air enter the pleural space at the same time . This also usually occurs after some serious accident.
• Pleural mesothelioma: This is a more serious condition. It is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the pleura. It is often associated with exposure to things like asbestos.

What happens if the pleura is damaged?

If there is damage to the pleura, you may feel it in different ways. Most commonly, you may feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your chest . This pain may be worse when you breathe normally, take a deep breath, or cough or laugh. You may also feel like you can't breathe properly, or you may feel short of breath (a condition called dyspnea) .

The main cause of this type of damage is trauma to your chest. For example, it can be caused by a fall, a collision while playing sports, a car accident, or a puncture wound to the chest, such as a stab wound or a gunshot wound.

This is very important: If you have symptoms of severe pleural effusion, that is, severe chest pain with severe difficulty breathing, you should immediately call 1990 (ambulance) or your local emergency number and go to a hospital without delay.

What tests are done to accurately determine the health status of the pleura?

If a doctor thinks you have a pleural problem, they may do several tests to diagnose it:

• Imaging tests: These are often the first tests done. These may include a chest X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound . These can look for things like fluid or air in the lungs, pleura, and pleural space.
• Thoracentesis: This is a minor surgery. In this procedure, a doctor inserts a very thin needle into the pleural space between two of your ribs and takes a sample of the pleural fluid. The sample is then sent to a lab to be tested for infection and cancer cells.
• Thoracoscopy: This is another specialized test. In this test, a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a small light and camera at one end through a small incision in the chest to look directly at the pleural space and lung surface. If necessary, a tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken at this time.

How do you treat pleural effusion?

The treatment for pleurisy really depends on what condition you have and how severe it is. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Common treatments include:

• If the pleura is affected by an infection , antibiotics or other medications are given to treat the infection. Medications are also given to relieve symptoms such as pain and difficulty breathing.
• If there is difficulty breathing , oxygen therapy is provided.
• If a lot of fluid or air has accumulated in the pleural space, it can be removed with a tube (chest tube drainage).
• In some severe cases, especially in cases of bleeding, frequent air accumulation, or cancer , surgery may be necessary.
• Those whose breathing is very weak may be connected to mechanical ventilation , a machine that helps them breathe.
• To treat a condition like pleural mesothelioma, specific cancer treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy are required.

How do I keep my pleura healthy and fit?

There is a saying that goes, "It is better to prevent an illness than to suffer from it afterwards." So, here are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of damage to your pleura:

• Stop using tobacco products completely. That means definitely avoid smoking and vaping. Smoking is very harmful to the lungs and pleura.
• Always wear your seatbelt properly whenever you are in a vehicle, even for a short distance. This will help reduce the risk of chest injuries in a car accident.
• If you play contact sports like rugby or boxing, wear the appropriate protective padding.
• Limit activities that involve large changes in air pressure, such as frequent flying and scuba diving, as much as possible. Otherwise, follow the safety procedures for those activities.
• Bacterial and viral infections can also cause pleural problems. Therefore, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
• Avoid exposure to asbestos . It can be found in old buildings and some roofs. It is a major cause of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer.

I hope you now have a good idea about the pleura. Your pleura is the silent worker of your respiratory system. It keeps your lungs from rubbing against your chest wall, making it easier and more comfortable for you to breathe. If you have a condition that affects your pleura, you will definitely feel it – you may feel short of breath, and your chest may hurt when you breathe. If you play a high-impact sport, or if you think you are at risk for pleura injuries, be sure to talk to your doctor about how to keep your pleura healthy and prevent injuries.

So, what is the most important thing we can learn from this story?

Simply put, your pleura is like the protector and best friend of your lungs. It plays an essential role in helping your lungs function smoothly and painlessly. So, it's your responsibility to keep this precious pleura healthy.

The best things you can do for your pleura are to completely avoid smoking, take precautions to protect yourself from dangers, and seek medical advice without delay if you experience any difficulty breathing or unusual chest pain.

I hope this information is useful to you. Stay healthy!

` Pleura, lungs, respiratory system, pleural fluid, pneumothorax, pleurisy, chest pain