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Your doctor may diagnose a pleural disorder based on your medical history, a physical exam, and diagnostic tests and procedures. Before diagnosing you with a pleural disorder, your doctor will rule out other medical reasons or conditions that may be causing your signs and symptoms.

Pleural disorders may occur with no symptoms, or they may have obvious symptoms. Signs, symptoms, and complications vary depending on the pleural disorder and how severe it is.

You may have an increased risk for a pleural disorder because of your age, your family history and genetics, your lifestyle habits, medicines you take, other medical conditions, and your sex.

Pleural disorders may be caused by inflammation, injury, or an imbalance of fluids in the pleural space.

The types of pleural disorders are pleural effusion, pleurisy, and pneumothorax. Pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid in the pleural space. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura. Pneumothorax occurs when air or other gas builds up in the pleural space and may cause part or all of the lung to collapse.

After you are diagnosed with vasculitis, it is important to follow your treatment plan. Your doctor may recommend additional follow-up care and medicines to avoid complications. If vasculitis responds to treatment, it may go into remission.

Treatment for vasculitis will depend on the type of vasculitis you have, which organs are affected, and the severity of the condition. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation. People who have mild vasculitis may find relief with over-the-counter pain medicines. For severe vasculitis, your doctor may prescribe medicines. Surgery to treat vasculitis is rare.

It may be possible for your doctor to diagnose the type of vasculitis that you have and how severe or advanced it is. Depending on your signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend you to a specialist for tests or do diagnostic tests or procedures.

The signs, symptoms, and complications of vasculitis vary depending on which type of vasculitis you have, the organs involved, and the severity of the condition. Some people may have few signs and symptoms. Other people may become very sick.

Your risk for a specific type of vasculitis may be higher because of your age, your family history and genetics, infections you have, your lifestyle habits, medicines you take, other medical conditions you have, your race or ethnicity, and your sex.