Restrictive

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Restrictive lung disease is a category of respiratory disease characterized by a loss of lung compliance, causing incomplete lung expansion and increased lung stiffness, such as in pulmonary fibrosis and pneumoconiosis. This is in contrast to obstructive lung disease.

Types[edit | edit source]

Restrictive lung diseases may be due to specific causes which can be intrinsic to the parenchyma of the lung, or extrinsic to it.

Intrinsic[edit | edit source]

Intrinsic restrictive lung diseases are characterized by a specific condition within the lung itself that causes a restriction of air flow. Examples include:

Extrinsic[edit | edit source]

Extrinsic restrictive lung diseases are conditions that cause the restriction of lung expansion from outside the lung. Examples include:

  • Pleural effusion: This is a condition where fluid builds up in the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall, which can restrict the lungs from fully expanding.
  • Obesity: Obesity can cause a restriction in lung expansion due to excess weight pressing on the lungs.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Common symptoms of restrictive lung disease include:

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of restrictive lung disease typically involves pulmonary function tests including spirometry, and imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or CT scan.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for restrictive lung disease typically involves treating the underlying condition causing the restriction. This may include medication, oxygen therapy, or in severe cases, a lung transplant.

See also[edit | edit source]


Restrictive Resources

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Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD