Fibrosis of the lungs is a thickening of the tissue, which is part of the partitions that separate the alveoli of the lungs. This ailment is very dangerous, as it can lead to impairment of respiratory function.
Causes of pulmonary fibrosis
With pulmonary fibrosis, the elasticity of the lung tissue decreases. As a result, it is difficult to pass air through the walls of the alveoli, which are responsible for the saturation of the blood with oxygen. In addition, the production of collagen increases, which leads to the formation of a variety of connective tissue fibers and an increase in the damaged organ.
Fibrosis of the lung develops either by foci, or diffusely. Diffuse appearance of the disease affects almost the entire organ. But focal lung fibrosis affects only small areas. In addition, this ailment can be one-sided and two-sided.
Most often, fibrosis appears against the background of infectious diseases: tuberculosis, pneumonia, etc. But also to its causes are other external factors, such as:
- inhalation of quartz powder, metal dust, carbon and other harmful fumes;
- rheumatoid arthritis ;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- vasculitis;
- liver disease;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- chemo- and radiotherapy.
Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis
In early stages, basal fibrosis of the lungs does not manifest itself at all, while it actively progresses in the body. The only visible sign of the disease at this stage is shortness of breath. First, it occurs only during physical work, but eventually accompanies the patient constantly. Over time, dry cough joins her. Sometimes there is mucus in it. The following symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are:
- cyanosis of the skin (especially often affects the fingers and mucous membranes of the mouth);
- frequent bronchitis;
- purulent sputum when coughing;
- respiratory insufficiency 1-2 degrees;
- pain in the chest;
- excessive sweating;
- wheezing .
If the disease is ignored, the patient will eventually lose oxygen during the physical work due to the defeat of all large parts of the lungs and a 3-4 degree respiratory insufficiency will appear. With post-ray fibrosis of the lungs, deformation of the nails is also observed. There may be exudative pleurisy or a chronic pulmonary heart. Fibrosis of the roots of the lungs is almost always accompanied by their thickening.
Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis
Even the timely treatment of pulmonary fibrosis does not help to completely get rid of this ailment. Cells of connective tissue that have formed in the organ, remain forever there. The main goal of therapy is not to let the disease develop further. This can be done by medicamentous and non-medicamentous methods, but in especially severe cases, lung transplantation is necessary.
From drugs you need to take cytostatics, glucocorticoids and drugs that depress immune responses in the body. To reduce dyspnea, bronchodilators are used, and during an exacerbation of the disease, antibiotics and oxygen inhalations can not be avoided.
It is possible to carry out treatment of pulmonary fibrosis and folk remedies. For this, tinctures and decoctions are suitable, which can improve blood circulation in the lungs. For example, it perfectly reduces the lack of oxygen in fibrosis, the infusion from the collection of herbs of spring spring, the fruits of cumin, fennel and horsetail:
- 1 tbsp. l. mixture of herbs should be filled with 200 ml of boiling water.
- Insist and strain the remedy.
- You need to drink it three times a day.
All patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis are shown breathing exercises, regular jogging and athletic walking in the fresh air. This will strengthen the effect of medicines and traditional medicine.