Interstitial Lung Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Interstitial lung disease is a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the tissue between the alveoli in the lungs. The inflammation causes the work of the alveoli to be disrupted, reducing the amount of oxygen intake in the blood vessels.
Basically, human lungs consist of alveoli, which are air sacs shaped like balloons. Its function is to connect oxygen and carbon dioxide from the outside air to the blood vessels.
There are hundreds of diseases that are included in interstitial lung disease. Some of the diseases that are often encountered are:
- Asbestosis: inflammation of the lungs due to continuous exposure to asbestos in the airways. This can be found in people who work for example in shipyards.
- Silicosis: inflammation of the lungs due to continuous exposure to silica in the airways. This can be found in people who work in coal mining.
- Pulmonary fibrosis: connective tissue found between the alveoli. This disease is usually found in autoimmune sufferers such as Sjogren’s syndrome.
- Pneumonitis: inflammation in the lungs due to allergies or chemical irritation.
Symptom
The main symptom of interstitial lung disease is shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is usually quite mild at first. This condition will get worse when someone who has this disorder is doing activities, for example when running or climbing stairs.
Apart from shortness of breath, another common symptom is a dry cough that lasts for months. In some cases, sufferers can also experience weight loss.
These signs are similar to the symptoms of other lung diseases. The difference is that in interstitial lung disease, prolonged exposure to chemicals is generally found which causes the lungs to become inflamed.
Reason
The cause of interstitial lung disease is not always known. Some cases are caused by certain diseases, exposure to chemicals, or due to drugs.
Health problems that can cause interstitial lung disease include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Exposure to chemicals that can cause interstitial lung disease are abscess fibers, coal dust, silica dust, and cigarette smoke.
Meanwhile, drugs that can trigger interstitial lung disease include nitrofurantoin, aspirin, amiodarone, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and heroin.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of interstitial lung disease is determined through a series of detailed medical interviews and physical examinations. As an initial examination to confirm the presence of interstitial lung disease, the doctor will ask the patient to take an X-ray. If the X-ray picture matches the condition of interstitial lung disease, further examination is needed to ensure a more complete disease condition and lung condition.
Some further tests that can be done are CT scans, lung function tests, or lung biopsies. CT scans can take pictures of the lungs and detect interstitial lung disease more effectively than X-rays.
Pulmonary function examination aims to check the condition and capacity of the lungs. Meanwhile, a lung biopsy is performed to determine the type of interstitial lung disease that the person is suffering from. The examination is carried out by taking a sample of lung tissue for examination.
Treatment
Treatment of interstitial lung disease cannot eliminate the damage that has occurred to the lungs. Treatment needs to be done to slow the condition from getting worse and relieve symptoms.
Treatments carried out include:
- Administration of oxygen
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy to help sufferers be active
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids
- Immune-suppressing drugs such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide
Prevention
Efforts that can be made to prevent interstitial lung disease is to avoid exposure to chemicals. For example asbestos, silica, and coal dust. For industrial workers who are forced to be exposed to these substances, it is highly recommended to always use an adequate mask that can prevent dust particles from being inhaled while working.