Pneumofibrosis - causes and signs of pneumofibrosis
In practice, there are two types of pneumofibrosis:
- limited (local) - this is a dense area of lung tissue, in which the pathology is not very pronounced. Local pneumofibrosis does not greatly affect the mechanical properties of the lung tissue and their gas exchange functions;
- diffuse pneumofibrosis is a condition when the lungs are compacted
In practice, there are two types of pneumofibrosis:
- limited (local) - this is a dense area of lung tissue, in which the pathology is not very pronounced. Local pneumofibrosis does not greatly affect the mechanical properties of the lung tissue and their gas exchange functions;
- diffuse pneumofibrosis is a condition when the lungs are compacted, reduced in volume and have a disrupted normal structure. Full ventilation of the lungs in case of diffuse disease is significantly reduced.
Causes
Very often, pneumofibrosis is the result of a variety of lung diseases:
- invasive and infectious diseases (pneumonia, as well as those that could develop after tuberculosis, syphilis, mycoses, etc.);
- obstructive chronic pathologies;
- diseases that often arise under the influence of industrial gases on the body, aggressive dust and toxic substances;
- hereditary and genetic lung diseases.
Symptoms
- Local form of this diseases, unlike the diffuse form, may not have any manifestations of pneumofibrosis at all, the latter is characterized by shortness of breath progressing over time
- . It can also be accompanied by a dry, strong cough. Also, with pneumofibrosis, there is general weakness of the body, weight loss may occur, aching pain in the chest may be felt, as well as a feeling of fatigue and exhaustion.
Already in the later stages of the disease, a squeak in the lungs may occur, which is heard especially clearly when inhaling over the area of the anterior surface of the chest.
Diagnostics
Based on the symptoms of pneumofibrosis, a thorough medical examination is carried out. The patient should consult a pulmonologist. You can make an appointment with a pulmonologist on our website.
The most important method of diagnosing the disease is an X-ray examination of the lungs, which allows you to get the most reliable ideas about the sclerotic nature of the transformation of the lung tissue, and allows you to differentiate the diagnosis of lung pathology from tumor lesions.
In order to identify pneumofibrosis, the pulmonologist always prescribes an X-ray of the chest organs to the patient. Other accompanying methods of diagnosing the disease may be a computer examination, tomography and radiography.
Treatment
Today there are no effective methods for treating this disease. Treatment for limited asymptomatic pneumofibrosis is usually not used at all. If the cause of local pneumofibrosis is destructive-inflammatory diseases suffered by the patient, and it occurs with regular outbreaks of the infectious process, then in this case the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, as well as some physiotherapy procedures that improve the discharge of sputum from the bronchi.
With this disease, diagnostics allows us to determine how appropriate it is to perform surgical intervention. If the causes of pneumofibrosis are associated with an aggressive external environment, then treatment in this case should always be aimed at eliminating them. Also, according to personal indications, special therapy for respiratory failure can be carried out.
Prevention
A person who, due to the nature of his work, often comes into contact with pneumotoxic substances, must adhere to safety rules. Dust and hazardous gases are always present in mines and other industrial production. All these premises must have ventilation, and workers must use respirators.
Also, the condition of patients with pneumofibrosis is improved by complete smoking cessation, hardening and physical exercise.
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