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INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

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INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Interstitial lung disease includes a large group of disease or disorder that causes inflammation and progressive scarring of the lung tissue, making it harder for them to function.

  • This disease affects the interstitium, a lace-like network of tissue that extends throughout both lungs.
  • This interstitium provides supports the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Blood vessels flow through the interstitium allowing the blood to receive oxygen and get rid of excess carbon dioxide.
  • The scarring marked by this condition eventually affects the ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream.
  • The American Thoracic Society estimates that there are more than 200 different lung disorder that affects the interstitium. Some of the disorders include chronic silicosis, interstitial pneumonia, siderosis, sarcoidosis, asbestosis, pulmonary edema and others.
  • Prolonged interstitial lung disease may result in pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure or heart failure.
  • In 2013, the condition affected 595,000 people globally resulting in 471,000 deaths.

CAUSES

Interstitial lung disease may occur when an injury to the lung triggers an abnormal healing response. Ordinarily, the body generates just the right amount of tissue to repair damage. But in interstitial lung disease, the repair process goes awry and tissues around the air sacs become scarred and thickened. This makes it more difficult for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream

Many different things can trigger the condition and can damage the lung, this may include:

Long-term exposure to a certain number of toxins and pollutant

  • Asbestos fibers
  • Silica dust
  • Bird and animal droppings
  • Grain Dust
  • Radiation treatment to the chest
  • Industrial printing chemicals such as ink mist, carbon black
  • Iron welding
  • Clay minerals for example talc
  • Coal
  • Mold
Certain medications such as
  • Heart medications used to treat irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Pacerone), propranolol (Inderal)
  • Chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs such as rituximab
  • Some antibiotics
  • Narcotics, including heroin
Medical conditions such as
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Lupus
  • Vasculitis
  • Mixed connective tissue disease
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Polymyositis
Infections such as
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Respiratory syncytial virus
  • Pneumocystis pneumonia

Some form of the condition may occur in people who are with a history of smoking and active smoking may make the condition worse.

SYMPTOMS

  • a dry cough
  • shortness of breath

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

It may be difficult to identify and determine the cause of the condition.

The symptoms of a wide range of medical conditions can mimic interstitial lung disease, and this must be ruled out before making a definitive diagnosis.

The following test may be necessary:

  • Blood tests to examine electrolyte levels and blood cell counts
  • Imaging tests such as CT scan, echocardiogram
  • Pulmonary function test including oximetry.
  • The tissue sample may be obtained through bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, or surgical biopsy.
TREATMENT

Treatment of the condition depends on the type of interstitial disease and its cause. Treatment may be given to slow down the progression of the disease or improve the quality of life. Treatment may include:

  • Medications include corticosteroid medications, medication that suppresses the immune system such as pirfenidone (Exbriet), Nintedanib (OFEV). Other medications include Imuran, Mucomyst.
  • Oxygen therapy to make breathing easy, improve sleep and general well being
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation that focuses on physical exercise, breathing techniques that improve lung efficiency and nutritional counseling
  • Surgery may be the last option for people with a severe case of the condition who haven’t benefited from any other treatment options.