A general category known as the interstitial lung disease includes multiple different lung conditions. All of these conditions affect the interstitium (a part of the lungs’ structure).
What is the interstitium?
It is a lace-like network of tissue that extends throughout both lungs. It is what provides support to the lungs’ microscopic air sacs. Tiny blood vessels that travel through the interstitium allow gas exchange between blood and the air in the lungs. The interstitium is normally so thin it doesn’t show up on chest X-rays or CT scans.
Thickening of the interstitium is caused by all types of interstitial lug disease. The thickening can be due to:
While some forms of interstitial lung disease are short-lived, others are chronic and irreversible.
Interstitial lung disease may be broadly categorized into known and unknown causes. Common known causes include autoimmune or rheumatologic diseases, occupational and organic exposures, medications, and radiation. Interstitial lung disease of unknown cause is predominated by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a specific and progressive fibrotic lung disease, followed by the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, such as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and sarcoidosis.
This is effective for most interstitial pneumonias. Antibiotics such as Azithromycin and levofloxacin can eliminate the bacteria that cause most interstitial pneumonias. Most of the time, viral pneumonias resolve on their own. While fungal pneumonias are rare, they can be treated with antifungal drugs.
Ongoing inflammation in the lungs can cause damage and scarring in some forms of interstitial lung disease. Corticosteroids such as Rednisone and Methylprednisolone can help to reduce the activity of the immune system. The amount of inflammation in the lungs and the rest of the body are reduced.
People with low oxygen blood levels due to interstitial lung disease go through treatment where oxygen is inhaled to improve symptoms. The regular usage of oxygen may also protect the heart from damage caused by low oxygen levels.