Pneumonitis is an over-all term that denotes to inflammation of lung tissue. Pneumonia is technically a kind of pneumonitis since the infection causes inflammation. Mostly, doctors are discussing to other grounds of lung inflammation when they use the term “pneumonitis.”
Elements that can source pneumonitis include contact to airborne irritants at workplace or from hobbies. In addition, some kinds of cancer treatments and dozens of drugs can source pneumonitis.
Difficulty breathing frequently accompanied by a dry cough — is the most common indication of pneumonitis. Specialized tests are needed to make a diagnosis. Treatment focuses on preventing irritants and decrease inflammation.
The common indicator of pneumonitis is dyspnea, which is normally escorted by a dry cough. If pneumonitis is left untreated, chronic pneumonitis may be, which can produced scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of chronic pneumonitis include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Pneumonitis occurs during an irritating substance causes the tiny air sacs or alveoli on lungs to become inflamed. The inflammation makes it hard for oxygen to pass through the alveoli into the bloodstream.
More irritants that are extending from airborne molds to chemotherapy medications have been associated to pneumonitis. Most people, the precise substance causing the inflammation are never identified. Pneumonitis may include causes such as:
- Drugs. Selection of drugs can source pneumonitis; these may include some antibiotics, some types of chemotherapy medications that can keep regular heartbeat. Overdose of aspirin can cause pneumonitis.
- Molds and bacteria.Recurrent exposure to some molds and bacteria can cause inflammation of lungs. Varieties of mold-related pneumonitis have nicknames, like or “hot tub lung” or “farmer’s lung”
- Birds. Common cause pneumonitis is the exposure to feathers or bird excrement.
- Radiation treatments.Some people undergo radiation therapy to the chest for breast or lung cancer can develop pneumonitis. Pneumonitis also can happen after whole-body radiation therapy, necessary to prepare a person for a bone marrow transplant.
Treatment and Drugs for Pneumonitis
Having hypersensitivity or chemical pneumonitis, the doctor will endorse eliminating exposure to the allergen or chemical irritating the lungs. This step can help lessen the symptoms.
Treatment includes the following for severe cases of pneumonitis,:
- Corticosteroids. These drugs work by overpowering the immune system, decreasing inflammation in the lungs. Corticosteroids are typically taken as a pill.
- Oxygen therapy.Having a lot of suffering in breathing, oxygen therapy may be needed over a mask that is suitable into the nostrils.