Dr. Madhukar Karoriya

Interstitial lung disease is an umbrella term for numerous lung diseases that are caused due to scarring or inflammation of lungs. Because of the inflammation, it becomes hard for the body to get enough oxygen. Pulmonary fibrosis is the term for scarring of the lungs.

It refers to a variety of progressive conditions and disorders that result in inflammation and heavy scarring of the lung tissue. Because scarring of the sensitive lung tissue causes hardening and inflexibility of the lungs, the lungs are unable to expand to their normal size. This irreversible condition greatly reduces breathing capacity and prevents life saving oxygen from properly traveling through the bloodstream.

While most cases of interstitial lung disease occur at a gradual progression, other cases appear more rapidly and their causes are unknown. Treatment options sometimes vary and while prescription medicines can slow the progression of interstitial lung disease, it is often not enough to help a patient recover full breathing capacity.

Symptoms-

The major symptoms of interstitial lung diseases include:

1. Shortness of breath which increases due to exertion

2. Dry coughing

Types of Interstitial Lung Disease-

Any sort of interstitial lung disease causes thickening of the interstitium which may be due to extra fluids, inflammation or scarring. Some types may be short lived; however, some could be chronic and really painful.

Some of the kinds are discussed below:

1. Interstitial Pneumonia: This is caused due to infection in the interstitium of the lungs by bacteria, fungi or viruses. The most common cause being a bacteria named Mycoplasma pneumonia.

2. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Although the cause is unknown, this is a chronic form of scarring of the interstitium.

3. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: This lung problem is caused due to excessive inhalation of dust, mold or other sort of irritants.

4. Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonitis: These are the kinds of lung problems, which are presented with autoimmune conditions such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Acute Interstitial Pneumonitis: This is a sudden and intense lung disease which usually requires life support.

6. Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia: This is a kind of interstitial lung disease but without the presence of any infection.

7. Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonitis: This is partially caused due to smoking.

8. Asbestosis: As the name suggests, this is caused due to prolonged exposure to asbestos.

9. Sarcoidosis: In this condition, lymph nodes are swollen along with lung disorders. Often heart, eye, skin and nerve involvement also occurs.

Homeopathic Treatments For Interstitial Lung Diseases-

The most common treatments are as follows:

1. Beryllium: This can be the remedy for formation of nodules or granulomas that usually form in the lungs, in other body organs or systems. This particular medicine has been very useful in the treatment of sarcoma. This can be provided to individuals who have difficulty in breathing and enormous pain in the lungs, have dry coughs etc.

2. Silica: In case of characteristic scarring and thickening of the inner lung layers, this medicine can be prescribed. This remedy helps enormously in relieving cold, sharp lung pains, coughing with very thick phlegm and haemorrhaging capillaries.

These are the most common medications; however there are numerous others that can help relieve lung disorders.