Interstitial Lung Disease
(Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Pneumonitis)
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is interstitial lung disease?
Interstitial lung disease is a term used to refer to a particular type of
inflammation of the interstitium of the lungs. The interstitium is the tissue
that surrounds and separates the tiny air sacs (alveolae) in the lungs.
Interstitial lung disease involves an inflammation of this supportive tissue
between the air sacs rather than inflammation in the air sacs themselves.
Interstitial inflammation is typically a diffuse process that occurs all over
the lungs and is not confined to one location.
Sometimes the term "interstitial pneumonia" is used for certain forms of
interstitial lung disease. Technically, however, the term "pneumonia" refers to
inflammation of the lung tissue that is usually associated with infection.
Because interstitial lung disease has a number of causes (most of which are not
related to infection), the term "interstitial pneumonitis" is occasionally used
to refer to the inflammation that occurs in the absence of true infection.
What causes interstitial lung disease?
Interstitial lung disease is felt to be caused by a misdirected immune or
healing reaction to a number of factors, including:
Sometimes, the process of inflammation and scarring of the interstitial
tissues of the lungs develops in the absence of a known cause. When no cause can
be identified, this is referred to as idiopathic (unknown cause) interstitial
lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Depending upon the location,
severity, and pattern of lung involvement, the idiopathic interstitial lung
diseases have been further subdivided into categories. Examples of different
types of idiopathic interstitial lung disease include:
- usual interstitial
pneumonitis (UIP),
- bronchiolitis
obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP),
- lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP), and
- desquamative interstitial
pneumonitis (DIP).
Next: What are the symptoms of interstitial lung disease? »
- prednisolone, Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol - Defines the medication prednisolone (Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol) a drug used used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).
Latest Medical News
|
|
 |
From WebMD
Lung Disease/COPD Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Interstitial Lung Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis »
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid
arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well
as in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when
the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system. The immune
system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies
designed normally
to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly
infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood
that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with
inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body,
rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes
called rheumatoid disease.
While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic
illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may ex...
Read the Rheumatoid Arthritis article »
|
Lungs RSS