INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE (INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS)

Overview and Facts

It is also called Interstitial Pneumonitis, a kind of lung disease that affects one’s lung due to the scarring of lung tissues inside (which are mostly progressive), wherein most medical institutes and experts will classify this as a large group of lung disorders. Once a person has been affected by this lung disorder, the patient will experience difficulties in breathing, which results in the lack of oxygen being supplied to their bloodstream, changing their lives severely.

The primary cause for patients contracting this kind of lung disorder is hazardous material exposure (i.e., asbestos) for an extended period. There are also instances wherein various types of autoimmune diseases (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis) can be the leading cause of this lung disorder. But, there are also cases wherein medical experts cannot determine the exact cause of this disease.

Unfortunately, it is a known fact that this scarring of the lungs cannot be fully healed and is irreversible. However, various medications can help infected patients to improve the symptoms of the disease and help them live their lives usually as much as possible.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

Currently, there are no known other types of specific lung disorders.

SYMPTOMS

There are two known symptoms of the disease that has been recorded medically, which are listed below:

  • Having shortness of breath, either at rest or when aggravated during exertion
  • Having dry cough

People who have the symptoms above should immediately seek their doctor, wherein an early diagnosis with accurate results is the primary key for proper treatment for this disease.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

As for determining the disease and its leading cause of infection, several diagnostic tests will be done to the patient to decide which is the leading cause and how they can treat the patient correctly. Below listed are the following diagnostic tests for this disease:

  1. Laboratory tests  (blood tests)
  2. Imaging tests (Echocardiogram tests with Computerized Tomography (CT) scans)
  3. Pulmonary function tests (Spirometry, Diffusion Capacity tests, and Oximetry tests)
  4. Lung tissue analysis tests (Bronchoscopy tests, Bronchoalveolar lavage tests, and Surgical Biopsy)

TREATMENT

As mentioned earlier, there are various treatment forms for this disease, which can help alleviate the symptoms one can experience when infected. Below are the said available treatments:

  1. Medications (Corticosteroid medications, slowing medications for Idiopathic  Pulmonary Fibrosis, and medicines for stomach acids)
  2. Oxygen therapy (via natural methods, such as sleeping and exercising)
  3. Pulmonary rehabilitation (via physical exercises, breathing techniques, emotional support, and nutritional counseling)
  4. Surgery (as a last resort, for severe cases of the disease)

Aside from those mentioned treatments above, an infected patient can do the following to alleviate the symptoms that they are experiencing from the said disease, which is listed below:

  • Stop smoking habits
  • Eating well-balanced meals
  • Getting proper vaccination

Additionally, having proper support and coping with the disease properly will help them to combat this disease.

Related Articles

MENINGIOANGIOMATOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Meningioangiomatosis is a rare benign condition characterized by the presence of [...]

MYELOFIBROSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Myelofibrosis is a rare and chronic bone marrow disorder characterized by [...]

MAFFUCCI SYNDROME

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Maffucci syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the development [...]