Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs, making it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis.
Diseases from breathing in dust and particles
Some types are caused by breathing in dust or other particles:
- Black lung disease in coal miners, from coal dust.
- Farmer's lung, from farm dust.
- Asbestosis, from asbestos fibers.
- Siderosis, from iron in mines or in welding fumes.
- Silicosis, from silica dust.
Other causes
Others come from autoimmune diseases or from exposure at work to molds, gases or fumes. Some types have no known cause.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the exposure and on how far the disease has progressed. It may involve medicines, oxygen therapy or, in severe cases, a lung transplant.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Interstitial Lung Diseases." https://medlineplus.gov/interstitiallungdiseases.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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