Pleurisy (PLOOR-ih-see) is a condition in which the pleura — two large, thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall — becomes inflamed. Also called pleuritis, pleurisy causes sharp chest pain (pleuritic pain) that worsens during breathing.One pleural layer of tissue wraps around the outside of the lungs. The other pleural layer lines the inner chest wall. Between these two layers is a small space (pleural space) that's usually filled with a very small amount of liquid. These layers act like two pieces of smooth satin gliding past each other, allowing your lungs to expand and contract when you breathe. If you have pleurisy, these tissues swell and become inflamed. As a result, the two layers of the pleural lining rub against each other like two pieces of sandpaper. This causes pain when you breathe in and out. The pleuritic pain lessens or stops when you hold your breath. Treatment of pleurisy involves pain control and treating the cause. Symptoms of pleurisy The symptoms of pleurisy may include: pain in the chest, which may be: sharp or stabbing in natureaggravated by taking a deep breath in, coughing or moving around felt in the muscles of the chest persistent cough breathing difficulties generally feeling unwell fever. Your risk of getting pleurisy is higher if you have recently had an infection of the respiratory tract. Homeopathic Remedies for Pleurisy Homeopathic medicines can be taken along with conventional treatment to manage symptoms of pleurisy. They offer help to manage symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath and cough in these cases. The homeopathic medicines help in reducing the inflammation of pleura by targeting the root cause behind it. As this medical condition can have serious complications so one should avoid self medication. Use any of the homeopathic medicines only on a homeopathic physician’s recommendation after detailed analysis of the case. Bryonia – Top Grade MedicineBryonia is prepared from the root of the plant Bryonia Alba commonly known as wild hops. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is a top listed medicine to manage cases of pleurisy. The main indicating symptom to use this medicine is stitching pain in the chest while coughing, breathing, deep inspiration or motion. It is better from rest. The person needing it can’t take a deep breath because of the pain that it causes. The pain from the chest may extend to the back. A prominent symptom that attends it is shortness of breath that gets worse from slightest motion.Next symptom that is present is a dry cough with stitching pain in the chest. During coughing the person holds the chest because it causes chest pain. Heated sensation is also felt in the chest. The persons who need it may also have pneumonia. In such cases blood streaked expectoration having brick colour, chest pain, high fever are present. Apart from above it is also indicated for pleuritic pain with tuberculosis. Kali Carb – For Dry, Short CoughIt is a well indicated medicine when there is prominent short, dry cough in pleurisy. In the majority of cases, the cough is most troublesome at night time. It often wakes a person from sleep. On coughing, acute pain in the chest is felt. The pain is stitching type. This is usually felt on the left side of the chest. The pain from the chest can go towards the back. Taking a long breath also worsens the chest pain. Along with these there is complaint of difficult respiration. Arsenic Album – For Managing Difficult Breathing Arsenic Album is a leading medicine to manage complaints of difficulty in breathing. People needing it mostly have this symptom from slightest motion. Its use is often called in chronic cases of pleurisy with dark expectoration and excessive weakness. Other symptoms that are present include dry short and hacking cough and pain in the lower chest. On coughing, soreness in the chest or stitches on the side of chest is also felt. With this complaint of pneumonia can be present. Here dark, offensive sputa, great weakness and heat in the chest appears. Aconite – For Stitching Pain in Chest on Breathing, CoughingThis medicine is prepared from plant Aconitum Napellus having the common name monkshood. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. This medicine is useful when stitching pain in the chest when breathing or coughing is present. Dry heat can be felt in the chest. Along with this constant dry cough can be present. Shortness of breath especially in sleep after midnight is another characteristic. Another unique feature for using it in pleurisy is inability to lie on the right side. Hepar Sulph – For Chest Pain on MovementThis medicine is selected when chest pain is felt on every movement. The pain may extend from chest to shoulder blades. With this cough and shortness of breath also arises. The cough is deep, dry and with every cough pain in the chest is felt. Alternate heat and chills with shivering can attend these symptoms. Weight loss