What are some possible treatment options for restrictive lung diseases?
Like every other organ in the body, our lungs also perform a vital role. They help us breathe by bringing in oxygen and sending out carbon dioxide. Thus, it becomes crucial to seek immediate treatment if you acquire obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. These problems cause the patient to experience shortness of breath and lead to heaviness in the chest. Both these problems are dangerous and kind of opposites. While the former makes it difficult to exhale all the air in your lungs, the latter occurs when the lungs grow stiffer. For those interested in learning more about these lung problems, we will discuss the available treatment options for restrictive lung problems. Here you go!
What are restrictive lung problems?
People suffering from a restrictive lung problem fail to hold as much oxygen into their bodies as they used to. This generally occurs when your lungs grow stiffer. Whereas in most cases, the cause is an issue related to the chest wall, sometimes, the lungs fail to expand because of a nerve or muscular condition. Few signs of people with restrictive lung disease include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest pain.
To ease these symptoms, you can try several treatments. Your doctor can help you choose after determining the type and severity of your condition. Your age, overall health, and medical history are a few other factors that should be considered.
Treatment options for managing restrictive lung problems
- Inhalers:
These small devices come in handy for quickly delivering medication to your bronchial tubes. They also fight inflammation to help you feel better and relaxed. In patients with restrictive lung problems known as interstitial lung disease, the walls of the air sacs become inflamed. Over time, they might get scared and cause the lungs to stiffen. This is where the inhalers come in, as they can effectively control inflammation and reverse the disease.
- Immunosuppressant:
Some restrictive lung problems result from autoimmune connective tissue disorder. It causes the body’s immune system to attack the healthy cells, which can damage the lungs, other organs, and joint lining. Some examples of these diseases are scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Medication, known as an immunosuppressant, can block the body’s immune system. They can be taken through an IV or a capsule and are used when the patient is undergoing a lung transplant.
- Oxygen therapy:
In diseases where the amount of oxygen reaching your organs, tissues, and muscles get limited, oxygen therapy is required. People suffering from such problems experience symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and confusion. For oxygen therapy, a mask connected to a tube and a portable oxygen cylinder is worn over the mouth and nose. The goal is to increase the supply of oxygen in your body.
So, these are a few effective treatment options for people suffering from restrictive lung problems.