Pleurisy causes chest pains hence for relieving pain usually NSAIDS like ibuprofen is prescribed. Sometimes paracetamol or codeine are also prescribed.

Yes, a pulmonologist will be able to pinpoint the cause of chest pain, diagnose it by doing an X-ray and then prescribe medicines accordingly.

The most commonly prescribed medicines are for pain hence NSAIDS usually ibuprofen, analgesics and sometimes if pain still persists then codeine can also be prescribed.

Surgery is only done in severe cases where pleural fluid is infected and has pus cells in it and in case it is present in excess doctor may drain it by inserting a tube in chest.

The side effects are usually due to the use of NSAIDS hence they can be like acidity, ulcers and headaches. In some rare cases the medicines given can cause an allergic reaction leading to rashes.