Learning Needs The most important thing you can do is to learn the symptoms of pleural effusions. You should report any of these symptoms to your doctor or your nurse:

• Shortness of breath
• The need to breathe fast
• A dry cough
• Chest pain, which may be slight or severe. The pain may be worse when you lie on one side or the other.
• Fever

A small number of patients never have any symptoms.

Management If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor may want to see you. The doctor will order a chest X-ray film to see if there is fluid on the lung. If fluid is seen or suspected, a thoracentesis is done. This test removes fluid from the space around your lung. Many times, people breathe easier when the fluid is removed.

If you are short of breath or if breathing is difficult or painful, there are things you can do to help yourself breathe easier.

• Some positions allow your lungs to better expand. Sit upright, lean forward, and rest your forearms on a table.
• Sleep with the head of the bed raised or use pillows to raise your upper body. Some people are more comfortable sleeping in a recliner.
• Save your energy. Do chores early in the day (bathing, stair-climbing). Take time to rest and relax.
• The doctor may prescribe oxygen to help you breathe.
• Take your pain medication. Some medicines help to relax you and help you breathe easier.
• There is no special diet to follow. Small frequent meals (up to 6 meals per day) might be easier for you and may tire you less.
• Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluids per day, unless your doctor or nurse tells you differently.