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The Facts About Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial lung disease refers to a variety of progressive conditions and disorders that result in inflammation and heavy scarring of the lung tissue. Because scarring of the sensitive lung tissue causes hardening and inflexibility of the lungs, the lungs are unable to expand to their normal size. This irreversible condition greatly reduces breathing capacity and prevents life saving oxygen from properly traveling through the bloodstream.
While most cases of interstitial lung disease occur at a gradual progression, other cases appear more rapidly and their causes are unknown. Treatment options sometimes vary and while prescription medicines can slow the progression of interstitial lung disease, it is often not enough to help a patient recover full breathing capacity.
The symptoms of interstitial lung disease include:
- Dyspnea (feeling breathless, during or as a result of physical movement)
- Dry cough
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Enlarged fingertips
- Fingernails growing in a curved pattern over fingertips
Dyspnea and a dry cough are often attributed to other conditions like an upper respiratory infection, being physically out of shape, being overweight or aging. Because of this, patients don't always receive immediate medical treatment for interstitial lung disease. Left unnoticed, symptoms become more severe and patients find routine activities like talking, eating or walking from room to room difficult due to a lack of air capacity needed in the lungs for these everyday activities.
The causes of interstitial lung disease can vary, but most originate with an injury to the lung tissue that does not properly heal, but causes scarring instead. Some factors that may contribute to such injuries include:
- Environmental conditions - Regular exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos, silica or metal dust, chlorine gases, ammonia and other toxic chemical fumes. Other more organic substances like dust from grain, animal and bird feces, mold, bacteria, fungi, and cane sugar.
- Pre-existing physical conditions - Pneumonia, bacterial infections, pulmonary fibrosis, and a host of other upper-respiratory, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections can often cause scarring to sensitive lung tissue. Other medical conditions such as lupus, sarcoidosis, and rheumatoid arthritis may also contribute to the development of scar tissue in the lungs
- Prescribed medications - Some drugs used for chemotherapy or to treat heart disease can cause lung damage. Cancer patients who receive radiation treatments for long periods of time especially when treatment is combined with chemotherapy sometimes suffer lung damage. Certain antibiotics and psychiatric mediations can also compromise lung tissue and lead to interstitial lung disease.
Some are more susceptible to interstitial lung disease than are others. Increased risk factors include:
- Gender - Exposure to harmful toxins at work environments such as mines, constructions sites and farming appears more commonly in men than it does in women. A very threatening, but rare disorder known as Lymphangioleiomyomatosis or LAM has been known to strike women, specifically at childbearing ages.
- Age - Idiopathic lung disease (a label given to cases where the origin of the compromise to the lungs is unknown) typically strikes patients over the age of 50 years old. Overall, while children are sometimes affected by lung disease, it is most commonly found in adults.
- Smoking - The longer a person smokes cigarettes, the greater the risk of developing interstitial lung disease.
- Inhaling large amounts of oxygen - While oxygen is necessary for life, patients who are given high doses of oxygen therapy for more than 48 hours sometimes develop interstitial fibrosis.
- Gastroesophegeal reflux disease (GERD) - Research suggests that, over time, when stomach acids or bile salts enter the esophagus through reflux, a form of idiopathic interstitial lung disease may occur.
- Prior exposure to chemotherapy and radiation - Prolonged exposure to each are known to be contributing factors to the development of lung disease.
- Genetics - Pulmonary fibrosis, a form of idiopathic lung disease is genetic although scientists are yet unable to isolate the exact genes that cause the disease.
Medical treatment for interstitial lung disease includes:
- Lung transplant
- Anti-fibrotic medications
- Cytotoxic medications
- Corticosteroid medications
- Antioxidant medications
Therapeutic interstitial lung disease treatments that are sometimes combined with the above medical treatments include:
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
Healthy lifestyle adjustments are also recommended to patients who suffer from interstitial lung disease. Not only can healthy living slow the progression of disease, but interstitial lung disease and other ailments can often be avoided altogether through holistic health choices. A few of these are:
- Daily physical exercise (can be difficult with interstitial lung disease, but is necessary)
- Smoking cessation (Or never start smoking)
- Diets high in natural vitamin and mineral sources (Fresh fruits and vegetables)
- Avoiding all processed foods (Including fast food and junk food all of which are highly toxic to humans and weaken the entire body, including the immune system, leaving it susceptible to ailments that can lead to lung disease)
Whether someone is seeking to avoid interstitial lung disease or whether someone is seeking a better quality of life with interstitial lung disease, holistic health practices should be the first step in this process.
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