Pneumonitis

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Pneumonitis
Synonyms Pulmonitis
Pronounce /ˌnjuːməˈnaɪtɪs/
Field Pulmonology
Symptoms Cough, dyspnea (shortness of breath), fatigue, chest discomfort, fever
Complications Pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, chronic lung disease
Onset Acute or chronic, depending on cause
Duration Variable (days to months); chronic cases may persist
Types Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Radiation pneumonitis, Chemical pneumonitis, Aspiration pneumonitis, Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
Causes Inhalation of allergens, chemicals, radiation, drugs, infections, autoimmune reactions
Risks Occupational exposures, radiation therapy, immunosuppressive medications, aspiration risk
Diagnosis Chest X-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function test, bronchoscopy, lung biopsy
Differential diagnosis Pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease
Prevention Avoid known triggers, use of protective respiratory equipment, prophylactic medications in specific cases
Treatment Removal of cause, corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, immunosuppressive therapy in chronic cases
Medication Prednisone, methylprednisolone, immunosuppressants, bronchodilators
Prognosis Good if treated early; chronic forms may lead to irreversible lung damage
Frequency Relatively rare; varies by type and geographic/occupational exposure
Deaths Rare with prompt treatment; mortality higher in untreated or chronic severe cases


Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Radiation pneumonitis

Pneumonitis is an inflammation of lung tissue due to factors other than microorganisms. Those can be radiation therapy of the chest, exposure to medications used during chemo-therapy, the inhalation of debris (e.g., animal dander) of food particles during vomiting, herbicides or fluorocarbons and some systemic diseases.

It is distinguished from pneumonia on the basis of causation as well as its manifestation since pneumonia can be described as pneumonitis combined with consolidation and exudation of lung tissue due to infection with microorganism.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

A chest X-ray or CT is necessary to differentiate between pneumonitis and pneumonia of an infectious etiology. Some degree of pulmonary fibrosis may be evident in a CT which is indicative of chronic pulmonary inflammatory processes.

Classification[edit | edit source]

It can be classified into acute interstitial pneumonitis, blood pneumonitis, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis, radiation pneumonitis, and uremic pneumonitis.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Typical treatment for pneumonitis includes conservative use of corticosteroids such as a short course of oral prednisone or methylprednisolone. Inhaled corticosteroids such as fluticasone or budesonide may also be effective for reducing inflammation and preventing re-inflammation on a chronic level by suppressing inflammatory processes that may be triggered by environmental exposures such as allergens.

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]







Classification
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