What is pneumonitis?
Pneumonitis a general term that refers to inflammation of lung tissue. Technically, pneumonia is a type of pneumonitis because the infection causes inflammation. Pneumonitis, however, is usually used by doctors to refer to noninfectious causes of lung inflammation.
Common causes of pneumonitis include airborne irritants at your job or from your hobbies. In addition, some types of cancer treatments and dozens of drugs can cause pneumonitis.
Specialized tests are necessary to make a diagnosis. Treatment focuses on avoiding irritants and reducing inflammation.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of pneumonitis is shortness of breath, which may be accompanied by a dry cough.
If pneumonitis is undetected or left untreated, you may gradually develop chronic pneumonitis, which can result in scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs.
Chronic inflammation of the thin tissue lining each air sac causes scarring and makes the sacs less flexible. They become stiff like a dried sponge. This is called pulmonary fibrosis.
Signs and symptoms of chronic pneumonitis include:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
Call your doctor anytime you have difficulty breathing, no matter what might be the cause.
Treatment of pneumonitis is necessary because otherwise the lung will be damaged.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352623
