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Published on: 12/2/2025
What are the early signs that fluid might be building up around your lungs?
Early signs of fluid around the lungs, called pleural effusion, can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a cough. It's important to seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms.
Worried about fluid around your lungs?
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Fluid around the lungs is known as pleural effusion. When this happens, you might feel like it's hard to breathe or that your chest hurts. You might also start coughing. These are signs that you should talk to a doctor.
What to Look For
- Difficulty Breathing: This might feel like you can't catch your breath.
- Chest Pain: The pain can be sharp and might get worse when you breathe in.
- Coughing: You might have a cough that doesn't go away.
Pleural effusion can happen for different reasons. If you notice these signs, it's important to see a doctor. They can figure out what's going on and help you feel better.
(References)
- Domenach L, Rooryck C, Legendre M, Bouchghoul H, Beneteau C, & Margot H. (2025). bilateral pleural effusion as a warning sign. BMC medical genomics, 39994693.
- Mehta J, & Mehta N. (2025). Postpartum Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory .... Cureus, 40918861.
- Senitko M, Ray AS, Murphy TE, Araujo KLB, Bramley K, DeBiasi EM, et al. (2019). Safety and Tolerability of Vacuum Versus Manual Drainage .... Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology, 30433893.
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