Interstitial lungs: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition

What is an interstitial lung?

Interstitial lung or interstitial lung disease is a term used for a group of lung diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and injury to the lungs. This injury to the lungs causes the formation of scar tissue that makes the lungs stiff or is also known as pulmonary fibrosis.

This scar tissue can cause the lungs to slowly stiffen and lose their normal function. As a result, the supply of oxygen to the bloodstream can decrease, making it difficult for sufferers to breathe. That is why, the symptoms that appear when a person experiences interstitial lungs are shortness of breath.

Damage caused by the interstitial lung is generally irreversible and disease progression will worsen over time. However, there are several ways of treatment that can be done so that the sufferer can slowly live a normal life.

How common is this condition?

Anyone can experience a disease that is part of the interstitial lung. So far, according to the American Lung Association, most cases are more often found in people who are hypersensitive to exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, undergoing radiation treatment or chemotherapy, and heavy smoking.

However, interstitial lung diseases can actually be prevented by avoiding various risk factors as well as things that cause lung disorders to get worse. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of interstitial lung?

The symptoms caused by this condition can vary from person to person, but they generally cause respiratory problems. Almost everyone with interstitial lung disease will experience shortness of breath and shortness of breath, especially when you are on the move.

As reported by John Hopskins Medicine, apart from shortness of breath, other symptoms that also appear during interstitial lung disease include:

• Chronic cough or cough that lasts for weeks is usually a dry cough without phlegm
• Excessive fatigue and fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Drastic weight loss
• Chest tightness and pain
• Bleeding in the lungs causing a bloody cough

If the disease continues to progress, symptoms can get worse and lead to complications such as severe lung damage or other organ failure. In some cases of pulmonary interstitials these symptoms may occur more rapidly (within hours or days).

When should I see a doctor?

You should seek medical care immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. If you have signs or symptoms above or are accompanied by other health complaints, please consult your doctor.

Cause

What causes interstitial lung?

Any condition or disease that causes interstitial lungs will lead to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lungs. Some parts or tissue of the lung that may become inflamed and fibrosis are the small airways (brokioli), air sacs (alveoli), and blood vessels.

The formation of scar tissue will cause the inflamed lung tissue to lose its ability to carry oxygen. This means that when scar tissue forms, the lung tissue dies.

There are more than 200 diseases that can cause interstitial lung. The disease group is then divided into several groups of causes.

There are 2 major groups that cause intersitisial lung, namely known causes, which are related to medical conditions or lung diseases, environmental factors, and methods of treatment. Meanwhile, another group of causes is unknown or idiopathic.

1. Work and environmental factors

Long-term exposure to organic and inorganic substances and agents can damage your lungs and increase your risk of intersitisial pulmonary causes, including:

• Asbestos fibers
• Bird protein (pet and products containing feathers)
• Coal dust
• Grain dust
• Mold from indoor hot tubs, showers and water damage
• Silica dust

2. Drugs and radiation

Many medications can damage your lungs and put you at risk of causing intersitisial pulmonary, especially:

• Chemotherapy / immunomodulating drugs such as methotrexate and cyclophosphamide
• Heart medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone) and propranolol (Inderal, Inderide, Innopran)
• Some antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin, others) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)

Some people undergoing radiation therapy for lung or breast cancer only show signs of lung damage months or sometimes years after the first treatment. The level of damage depends on:

• How much radiation the lungs are exposed to
• The total amount of radiation given
• Whether chemotherapy is also done or not
• Presence of underlying lung disease

3. Medical conditions

Lung damage can be associated with the following autoimmune diseases:

• Dermatomyositis / polymyositis
• Mixed connective tissue disease
• Pulmonary vulculitis (microscopic poliangitis)
• Arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren's Syndrome
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (LSE)
• Distinguished connective tissue disease

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing this condition?

Some of the following factors put you at risk for causing interstitial lung disease, including:

• Age: Interstitial lung disease is more common in adults, although infants and children can develop it as well.
• Exposure to toxins in the environment and work area: there are some jobs that are harmful to your lungs. If you work in mining, agriculture, or construction or for any reason have been exposed to environmental agents that can damage your lungs, your risk of interstitial lung disease may increase.
• Family history: There is evidence that some types of interstitial lung disease can be inherited and if a close relative has the disease, your risk may also increase.
• Radiation and drugs chemotherapy / immunomodulation: radiation to the chest or use of chemotherapy or immunomodulating drugs can increase your risk of developing interstitial lung disease.
• Cigarettes: some types of interstitial lung disease are more common in people who have ever smoked because active smoking causes lung problems, especially when associated with emphysema.

Diagnosis and treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this disease diagnosed?

Lung imaging tests are usually done to identify problems. Some of the tests that may be done are:

1. chest x-ray or chest x-ray
2. CT scan
3. High resolution CT scan
4. Spirometry
5. Lung biopsy, there are several types of lung biopsy, namely:

• • Bronchoscopy. Endoscope that is inserted through the mouth or nose into the airway. The small instrument on the endoscope can take a sample of the lung tissue.
  • Video thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) Using a tool inserted through a small incision, the surgeon can take tissue samples in several places.
  • Open lung biopsy (thoracotomy). In some cases, traditional surgery with a wide incision in the chest is required to perform a lung biopsy.

How are interstitial lungs treated?

Based on the type and cause of the disease, treatment can be determined.

1. Medicines

Depending on the main cause of interstitial lung, treatment is divided into two, namely anti-inflammatory, or anti-fibrotics. Interstitial lung disease with an inflammatory or autoimmune process that is known to benefit from anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medications.

If there are known exposures, avoiding contact with the agent is the first step of treatment.

Specifically for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (no known cause), two treatments are available to slow down the wound process. Your doctor may work with other doctors, such as a rheumatologist or cardiologist, to optimize your treatment.

2. Oxygen therapy

Using oxygen doesn't stop lung damage, but it can:

• Makes breath and exercise easier.
• Prevent or reduce complications due to low blood oxygen levels.
• Reduces blood pressure in the right side of the heart.
• Improve your sleep and health.
• You are most likely to use oxygen while sleeping or exercising, but there are some people who take it all day long.

3. Operations

Lung transplantation may be a last resort for patients with severe interstitial lung disease who are still not getting well with other treatment options.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat interstitial lung?

Staying healthy is important if you suffer from interstitial lung disease. Therefore, it is important that you:

1. Stop smoking

If you have lung disease, the best thing you can do is quit smoking. Talk to your doctor about quitting methods, including smoking cessation programs, that use a variety of proven techniques to help.

Don't let other people smoke around you as secondhand smoke can also harm your lungs. Quitting and avoiding smoking can help you maintain overall lung health.

2. Pay attention to nutritional intake

Patients with lung disease may experience weight loss. This is because when they eat, they need more energy to breathe. Such people need a diet with sufficient calories. Consult a nutritionist for guidelines on healthy eating.

3. Stay active

Exercise as much as you can and stay active. Do exercises that can train the work of your lungs and respiratory system.

4. Immunization

Respiratory infections can worsen symptoms of interstitial lung disease. That is why, as much as possible you have to take care not to get respiratory disease. Make sure you get the pneumonia immunization and the annual flu immunization to prevent flu.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.