5. Rapid Breathing
Since pleural effusion makes it hard to breathe properly, and take deep breaths, many people find themselves breathing rapidly instead. They struggle to get enough oxygen, and since they can take in a lot of air at once, they decide to gulp it in and try to get in a lot in short bursts. This can be exhausting and lead to fatigue.
Rapid breathing can also make other symptoms worse and doesn’t help the problem. Breathing rapidly can also put a strain on the heart and other organs. If breathing becomes too rapid, a person can hyperventilate. Rapid breathing can also lead to nausea. If the fluid in the lungs becomes so thick that rapid breathing is necessary to get a breath, you may need to seek medical treatment immediately. A doctor can find the underlying cause for the pleural effusion and restore your breathing patterns back to normal with the proper treatment.