Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lung inflammation can beacute(rapidly occurring and severe) orchronic(persistent or recurrent). The diagnosis may involve a physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests, and other procedures. Treatment is typically focused on treating the underlying cause, but anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant drugs may be prescribed to directly treat the inflammation. Sometimes surgery is needed.
This article explains some common symptoms and causes of different types of lung inflammation. It also discusses how inflammation in the lungs is diagnosed and treated.
Lung Inflammation Symptoms
Symptoms of lung inflammation can develop very suddenly or gradually over time. The symptoms vary based on the underlying cause, the extent of the inflammation, and your general health.
Symptoms of lung inflammation may include:
With chronic lung inflammation, a loss of appetite and unintended weight loss are common.
Complications
When severe, lung inflammation can limit airflow or lower your ability to absorb oxygen. This can causehypoxemia(low blood oxygen) orhypoxia(low oxygen in tissues), leading to symptoms like:
Over time, chronic lung inflammation can change the thickness, composition, or volume of the airways, leading to a condition known asbronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis is a long-term, progressive condition in which the airways become permanently widened, leading to a build-up of mucus in the lungs and an increased risk of infection.
These changes can also result inhypercapniain which it is harder to get carbon dioxide out of the lungs. In cases like this, a mechanical ventilator may be needed to help you breathe.
Everything You Need to Know About Punctured Lung
What Causes Lung Inflammation?
Inflammationis the body’s natural response to injury or infection.There are many different reasons why this might occur in the lungs. While inflammation is a means for the body to heal itself, persistent inflammation can cause damage to airways and lung tissues.
Common causes of lung inflammation include:
Respiratory Irritants
When airborne toxins or irritants enter the lungs, the body responds with inflammation. This causes the airways to swell and produce a gooey substance calledmucusthat surrounds the particles and protects the wall of the airways. Mucus can then be dislodged with coughing.
Some common irritants include:
You can also havehypersensitivity pneumonitisin which your immune system overreacts to an inhaled irritant and triggers an extreme allergic response with lung inflammation. Dust mites, pollen, and pet dander are common triggers.
Lung Infections
There are many differentpathogens(disease-causing agents) that cause lung infections. These include viruses that tend to cause acute infection, bacteria that can cause acute and chronic lung infections, and fungi that tend to cause severe infections in people with compromised immune systems.
Examples include:
Severe lung infections may causeacute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), a potentially life-threatening condition in which you cannot get enough oxygen in your blood.
Asthma
Asthmais a condition in which your airways narrow and swell in response to different airborne triggers or health conditions. It causes episodes ofbronchospasmin which the airways spasm violently, causing wheezing and coughing. Mucus might also be produced.
People with poorly managed asthma have a higher risk of pneumonia as a result of persistent lung inflammation.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)is associated with chronic lung inflammation and an increased risk of bronchiectasis and pneumonia. Cigarette smoking is strongly linked to COPD. The disease progresses from chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the major airways) toemphysema(in which the lungs are heavily pitted).
People with advanced COPD often requireinhaled corticosteroids(steroids) to reduce and control lung inflammation.
Costochondritis
A chest injury or infection can lead to a condition calledcostochondritisin which the cartilage that joins your rib bone to your breastbone becomes inflamed. Costochondritis causes sharp or stinging pain and pressure on the chest wall.
Autoimmune Diseases
Lupus,rheumatoid arthritis,sarcoidosis, and scleroderma are all autoimmune diseases in which the body’s own immune systems attacks healthy cells and tissues. Each of these diseases can directly or indirectly affect the lung and trigger lung inflammation. All autoimmune diseases are inflammatory.
Autoimmune diseases affecting the lungs can lead tointerstitial lung disease (ILD). ILD affects tissues around the airways, causing progressive scarring (pulmonary fibrosis). The scarring causes the lungs to stiffen and makes it harder to breathe. Lung damage from ILD is often irreversible and gets worse over time.
Trauma
Any type of trauma to the lungs or chest wall can cause acute lung inflammation. These include injuries like a rib fracture, a puncture wound, or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) following a car accident.
People who suffer severe chest or lung trauma are vulnerable to pneumonia due to the build-up of fluid in or around the lungs. Penetrating wounds also allow bacteria to enter the chest wall, leading to a potentially severe infection.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis(CF)is a progressive genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. CF causes the excess build-up of mucus in the lungs, making it harder to breathe.
While CF isn’t primarily an inflammatory disease, the blockage of the airways can trigger severe inflammation, particularly as the disease worsens.
Pericarditis
While pericarditis directly affects the lining of the heart, the inflammation can spread to the lungs, particularly if the underlying cause is severe or chronic.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE)occurs when a blood clot (embolus) gets stuck in the artery of the lung. The clot often develops in the lower extremities due to a condition calleddeep vein thrombosis (DVT). When a clot in the artery of the leg is dislodged, it can travel to the lungs and cause PE.
Lung Cancer
Lung inflammation is also a common side effect of cancer treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, and newer targeted drugs and immunotherapies. All of these treatments trigger an inflammatory response as they target cancer cells for destruction.
How Is Lung Inflammation Diagnosed?
The causes of lung inflammation are many and require no less than a physical exam (including a check of breath sounds) and a review of your medical and family. Based on the findings, other tests and procedures may be ordered.
These include lab tests like:
Procedures your healthcare provider may order include:
Imaging tests may include:
How Is Lung Inflammation Treated?
Treating lung inflammation depends on the cause. For lung inflammation due to viral infections, such as the cold or flu, time and supportive care are all that is really involved. Lung inflammation due to other types of infection, such as Tb, will usually resolve once the underlying infection is treated.
Other causes may need treatments specific to lung inflammation to bring the inflammation under control.
Urgent Care
If you’re having a breathing emergency, you may needoxygen therapyto bring your arterial blood gasses back to normal. In severe care, respiratory support may be needed to help you breathe. This support could includemechanical ventilationwithintubation. This is when a tube is fed into the mouth and down the throat to deliver oxygen under controlled pressure.
When You Need Breathing Support
Medications
Different medications may be used to alleviate lung inflammation either directly or indirectly. These include:
Procedures and Surgery
Home oxygen therapymay be indicated for chronic lung conditions that severely restrict oxygen blood saturation. It involves a portable oxygen tank and thin tubing (called acannula) that delivers oxygen into your nostrils.
Summary
Lung inflammation may be due to infection, disease, injury, or exposure to environmental toxins or irritants. Lung inflammation can make it harder to breathe. Over time, if the inflammation doesn’t improve, it can damage your lungs.
Diagnosing lung inflammation may involve a review of your medical history, a physical exam, blood test, imaging tests, and procedures to measure how well your lungs and heart are working. Treatment is typically focused on treating the underlying cause. If needed, oral or inhaled steroids can help temper the inflammation, while oxygen therapy can help if you have trouble breathing. Surgery is needed in some cases.
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