4. Hiccups
Hiccups can be an annoying and sometimes painful symptom of pleural effusion. Most people won’t relate hiccups to serious health problems, but they often occur whenever a normal breathing pattern is interrupted.
A nerve connects the brain to the diaphragm. If this nerve gets irritated or aggravated, there can be miscommunication and hiccups can occur. When the lungs become inflamed and enlarged, they can press against the nerve and cause hiccups. Some people may only experience hiccups for a short time while others may suffer from them for hours. Holding your breath, drinking water, and changing positions can help treat hiccups, but may not work for everyone.
The hiccups can come and go or may be chronic. Some people have reported suffering from hiccups for several days without finding any relief. Once the fluid in the lungs goes down, the hiccups should subside. If the hiccups become painful and last more than a few days, talk to a doctor.