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Is Pleurisy Caused Due To Heavy Marijuana Smoking?
I smoke small daily amounts of marijuana to help me with depression - really tiny intake. But I am 71 and I think I have developed pleurisy. I have pains in my upper and lower back that don t seem to be going away right now. Obviously, I should stop this habit, but without doing that, is there anything you can recommend?
Tue, 31 Dec 2019
Hi,
Pleurisy is an infection of the pleura (lubricated surfaces between the lungs and the inner chest wall) caused by bacteria, virus or fungus.
Other causes include lung cancer, blood clot in the lung, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, chest injury, sickle cell anemia, or mesothelioma of pleura.
A fungal infection 'aspergillus' is associated with marijuana smoking which also increases the risk of lung cancer because of presence of carcinogens in it.
Beside marijuana can also worsen the existing lung conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease (COPD).
In view of the above I advise you to consult a doctor for further evaluation and necessary tests such as chest x-ray, CT scan to confirm the diagnosis followed by specific treatment thereafter.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
Pleurisy is an infection of the pleura (lubricated surfaces between the lungs and the inner chest wall) caused by bacteria, virus or fungus.
Other causes include lung cancer, blood clot in the lung, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, chest injury, sickle cell anemia, or mesothelioma of pleura.
A fungal infection 'aspergillus' is associated with marijuana smoking which also increases the risk of lung cancer because of presence of carcinogens in it.
Beside marijuana can also worsen the existing lung conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease (COPD).
In view of the above I advise you to consult a doctor for further evaluation and necessary tests such as chest x-ray, CT scan to confirm the diagnosis followed by specific treatment thereafter.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
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