What should be done for an elderly person with pleural effusion?
Sep 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, pleural effusion in the elderly is usually caused by factors such as aging, malnutrition, tuberculous pleuritis, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and liver cirrhosis. It can be treated through general supportive measures and medication. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. In daily life, it's important to maintain a balanced diet to ensure adequate nutrition, control blood pressure, and undergo regular health check-ups.
In general, pleural effusion in elderly individuals is commonly caused by aging, malnutrition, tuberculous pleuritis, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and liver cirrhosis. Treatment may include general supportive measures and medication. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Aging
With advancing age, the heart muscle gradually weakens and pumping efficiency declines, potentially leading to impaired blood return and accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Symptoms can be alleviated by maintaining a semi-recumbent or healthy-side lying position, ensuring unobstructed breathing and effective sputum clearance.
2. Malnutrition
Inadequate nutrient intake leads to low protein levels and reduced plasma osmotic pressure, making it easier for fluid to leak into the pleural cavity. A balanced diet should be maintained to ensure adequate nutritional support.
3. Tuberculous Pleuritis
Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculous pleuritis, increasing local vascular permeability and allowing fluids and proteins to exude into the pleural space, resulting in pleural effusion. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, compound licorice oral solution, and ambroxol hydrochloride oral solution.
4. Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
Long-term stimulation from smoking and alcohol consumption can lead to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, causing myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, or failure, which may result in fluid leakage into the pleural cavity and form effusion. Symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath may accompany this condition. Under a doctor’s guidance, patients may take medications including digoxin tablets, compound furosemide tablets, and isosorbide nitrate tablets.
5. Liver Cirrhosis
Viral infections such as hepatitis B or C, when chronic and long-standing, can progress to liver cirrhosis. This reduces plasma albumin levels and decreases plasma colloid osmotic pressure, promoting fluid leakage from blood vessels into tissue spaces and the pleural cavity. Symptoms may include abdominal distension and diarrhea. Patients should restrict sodium and fluid intake and, under medical supervision, may use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, and compound glycyrrhizin tablets.
Maintaining a balanced diet to ensure sufficient nutrition, controlling blood pressure, and undergoing regular health check-ups are important in daily life.
