Folk remedies for basal pneumofibrosis. How to treat pulmonary fibrosis with folk remedies? Causes of pulmonary fibrosis

Pneumofibrosis of the lungs is a chronic pathology in which the parenchyma is replaced by connective tissue.. In the affected organ, scarring occurs against the background of a sluggish inflammatory process. Gradually, the respiratory and gas exchange function is lost and pulmonary insufficiency develops. The degeneration of healthy tissue is irreversible, and the task of medicine is to stop the progression of the disease and maintain the health of the patient. It is impossible to cure pneumofibrosis and restore the lungs.

Causes and mechanism of development of pneumofibrosis

The causes of the disease are different:

infectious and inflammatory diseases - mycoses, tuberculosis, syphilis;
prolonged exposure to allergens;
mechanical injury;
high doses of radiation;
exposure to chemical compounds;
hereditary disorders in which fibrillar protein is intensively produced - collagen, fibronectin;
severe liver damage with drug addiction;
long-term use of drugs that have a toxic effect on the lung parenchyma.

The risk group includes people with a history of COPD, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia. Men are more often ill, whose professional activity is associated with the risk of negative impact of production processes on the respiratory system - miners, miners, metallurgists.

In pneumofibrosis, chronic inflammation is accompanied by a violation of the outflow of lymph from the affected organ.. It accumulates in the interalveolar septa and vessels of the lung. The movement of blood along the capillary bed is disturbed, the vessels become sclerotic and hypoxia develops. This process activates the production of fibroblasts and collagen, which further aggravates the process of blood circulation in the small circle.

Against the background of increased pulmonary pressure, dystrophic changes occur in the right half of the heart, it increases in size. The patient develops cor pulmonale syndrome. This is an extremely serious condition that leads to disability and eventually death.

With the rapid progression of pneumosclerosis (pneumofibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis), a healthy parenchyma is quickly rebuilt. The structure of the acinus itself, the structural unit of the lung, changes. Glandular pseudostructures are formed, capillaries weaken, decrease in volume, bronchioles become sclerosed. The growth of connective tissue in the lungs deforms the alveoli, they are destroyed, and fibrous and cystic neoplasms appear in their place.

Against the background of lung destruction, their main function is disrupted - providing the body with oxygen through gas exchange during breathing.

Patients develop respiratory failure with hypoxia (oxygen starvation) and hypercapnia (excess carbon dioxide in the blood).

Due to impaired perfusion (throughput) of the lungs, the level of oxygen in the body decreases. The ventilation-diffuse balance is disturbed. Due to hypoventilation, the level of carbon dioxide increases.

Kinds

Depending on the location and extent of lung damage, pneumosclerosis can be of several types.

Diffuse pneumofibrosis of the lungs is an overgrowth of connective tissue throughout the organ. With such a pathology, clear boundaries of the modified areas cannot be determined. Not only the lung is deformed, but also the bronchi, the vascular network.

Local pneumofibrosis of the lungs develops very slowly and is asymptomatic at the initial stages. It is characterized by damage to a limited area of \u200b\u200btissues. The x-ray shows seals with clear contours. This type does not affect the functionality of the organ and its mechanical properties.

Focal pneumofibrosis of the lungs also has a clear location, as well as local. But differs in that inflammatory foci, as a rule, are multiple. They can affect one lung or both. The focal form develops against the background of tuberculosis, purulent-inflammatory processes (abscess).

Clinical picture of the disease

The first sign that gives reason to think about the presence of pathology in the body is shortness of breath.. But since it does not cause tangible discomfort at first, patients do not pay attention to it.

At the initial stage of the disease, this symptom manifests itself in the form of mild shortness of breath during physical exertion, which was previously well tolerated by the person. Patients attribute this fact to fatigue, malaise, poor sleep. Gradually, shortness of breath increases when walking on the street, climbing stairs. It is not easy for a person to walk long distances, to talk for a long time. In severe cases, shortness of breath manifests itself in the form of breath holding, lack of air. This state is always accompanied by panic fear.

The nature of breathing in pneumosclerosis is determined by the degree of lung damage. It is superficial, frequent, sometimes intermittent. The patient is unable to take a deep breath. This is how chronic respiratory failure develops. It is compensated for a long time, but inevitably leads to hypoxia.

Symptoms of respiratory failure in pneumosclerosis:

cyanosis of the skin (pale skin with a blue tint);
tachycardia - rapid heartbeat;
dyspnea;
the act of breathing is possible with the participation of auxiliary muscle groups;
dizziness and headaches;
sleep disturbance - insomnia at night, drowsiness during the day;
loss of strength, chronic fatigue, decreased performance;
loss of consciousness;
in the later stages - heart failure, swelling of different parts of the body.

Against the background of airway obstruction, pneumosclerosis is always accompanied by a cough. It comes in different intensities. It intensifies in the morning after sleep, when a person begins to actively move, and calms down by the middle of the day. Cough brings temporary relief. With severe attacks, it causes pain in the chest, usually behind the sternum and from the back along the lower border of the shoulder blades.

"Pulmonary heart", which develops more intensively with pneumofibrosis of the middle lobe of the right lung, is manifested by such clinical signs:

severe shortness of breath in a horizontal position (lying down);
pulsation in the upper abdomen, in the region of the arch of the diaphragm;
heart pains provoked by increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation and stretching of the pulmonary arterial trunk;
swelling of the neck veins, which increases on inspiration;
blood pressure may be slightly reduced;
hypothermia;
swelling.

The consequences of such irreversible processes are unfavorable.

Diagnosis of the disease

The study of patients is complex. It includes data collection, laboratory and instrumental techniques.

In order to determine the step-by-step direction in the examination of the patient, an anamnesis is collected. The patient is asked about the place of work, all the symptoms, the duration of the course of the disease, the estimated time of the onset of the first signs.

According to the laboratory data of the general blood test, no obvious changes are observed. Slightly elevated ESR, increased leukocyte count and clotting.

On auscultation - dry scattered or fine bubbling rales, hard breathing. With percussion - the sounds are short, the mobility of the pulmonary edge is limited.

Instrumental examination methods

X-ray of the lungs is the key diagnostic method.. It accurately allows you to determine the presence, localization and extent of lesions. The lung on the right is always slightly lower than the left. The drawing is rebuilt, looks like honeycombs or cells.

Interpretation of the results of x-rays:

Basal pneumofibrosis of the lungs is a fibrous lesion of segments of the lower lobe of the lung, a consequence of the transferred inflammatory processes. It is also called postpneumonic fibrosis. In the affected area on the X-ray, increased brightness and a clear pattern are visible.
Radical pneumofibrosis of the lungs is the proliferation of connective tissue in the region of the root of the lung, where it connects to the mediastinal organs (heart, aorta). The x-ray shows clear compacted areas.
Linear pneumofibrosis of the lungs - the defeat of one or more segments of the lung, linear shadows are visible on the picture.
Post-radiation pneumofibrosis is a complication after irradiation (during treatment or as a result of an accident). On the x-ray there are no clear boundaries of the affected tissue, the outlines are blurred.

To diagnose structural changes in pneumofibrosis of the basal and basal sections, computed tomography is prescribed, since these areas are not sufficiently visible and the replacement dystrophic process can spread to nearby organs. TC of the lungs allows layer-by-layer and detailed assessment of the degree of tissue damage, revealing their nature and dynamics of development.

To assess the functions of external respiration, patients are prescribed spirometry - a test that determines deviations in the respiratory function of the lungs. During the study, the following indicators are evaluated:

lung volume (the amount of air inhaled at one time);
breathing rate;
maximum ventilation rates;
vital capacity of the lungs;
forced breathing;
exhalation airflow rate.

Patients are also prescribed bronchoscopy. She assesses the condition of the bronchi in the affected lung. With diffuse pneumosclerosis, no changes are observed, and with local ones, destructive transformations of the bronchial tree are possible.

During a bronchoscopy, a sample of lavage fluid is taken from the lung. Cytological examination of the biomaterial allows you to determine the etiology of the disease.

Treatment of pneumofibrosis

Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is palliative, aimed at maintaining the general condition of the patient and stopping or slowing down dystrophic processes in the organ.

Drug treatment involves the fight against an infectious factor - fungi, bacteria, viruses:

To improve the drainage function of the bronchial tree, antispasmodic drugs are prescribed - Norepinephrine, Teofedrin, Isadrin, Fenoterol.
In severe cases, pulmonary fibrosis can be treated with hormonal agents of the corticosteroid group - Cortisone, Prednisolone. They relieve the severity of inflammation, reduce the immune response.
To eliminate airway obstruction, relieve cough and sputum discharge, mucolytic drugs (expectorants) are shown - Lazolvan, Erespal, Ascoril.
To reduce severe pain in the chest area, patients are recommended non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Nimesil, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen.
To maintain the work of the heart muscle and saturate it with oxygen, cardiac glycosides are shown - Adonizide, Strofantin, Digoxin. To nourish the myocardium, patients take potassium preparations - Panangin, Asparkam.
It is mandatory to prescribe angioprotectors - Actovegin, Cardioxipin, Vasonit, Bilobil. They improve microcirculation by relaxing the smooth muscles of blood vessels, increase permeability, relieve swelling.

Structural lesions of the lungs are accompanied by intoxication of the body. To eliminate it, I use a universal detoxifying agent - Penicillamine. The drug affects the immune system, inhibits the production of certain types of leukocytes, and also disrupts collagen synthesis, which is extremely important for pneumofibrosis. The medicine is available in capsules for oral administration.

Pneumofibrosis is a severe chronic pathology that weakens the body. Patients lose weight. Therefore, as part of a complex drug treatment, vitamin preparations of groups B and E are prescribed.

It is not advisable to treat pneumofibrosis of the lungs with folk remedies. Medicinal herbs can be used as a general strengthening therapy to support the immune system.

Patients must be treated twice a year in a hospital.

Physiotherapy

To combat hypoxia of tissues and organs, oxygen therapy is indicated - blood oxygen saturation.

The patient is connected to a special device through which the gas mixture is supplied in the required proportions. Thus, oxygen deficiency is temporarily eliminated.

O 2 supply methods:

through a mask if a person breathes on his own;
through a nasal catheter (if there is a need for a constant supply of oxygen);
through an endotracheal tube if the patient is unconscious;
by placing the patient in a pressure chamber.

Other physiotherapeutic procedures (UHF, electrophoresis, the use of currents) are ineffective for pneumofibrotic changes.

To combat shortness of breath, strengthen the respiratory muscles and improve the quality of life, patients undergo a rehabilitation course of physical therapy. Classes are held under the supervision of medical staff with clearly dosed physical activity.

Doing sports on your own is strictly contraindicated. Incorrect calculation of the loads on the heart and lungs can lead to fatal consequences.

Preventive actions

Prevention of pneumofibrosis includes measures that reduce the risk of developing the disease.

In industries with an increased risk of exposure to chemical compounds on the body, the rules of safety, labor protection and rest must be strictly observed. People whose professional activities are associated with risks are recommended to undergo annual treatment in a dispensary, in a mountainous area or near the sea.

Also it is important to exclude household factors - smoking, inhalation of vapors of chemical liquids (chlorine). Once a year, you need to undergo fluorography and medical examination (prophylactic examination of doctors).

If a person leads a healthy and active lifestyle, then the risks of the disease are reduced many times over.

Pneumofibrosis is a severe lung disease with a poor outcome. It is dangerous to human life, and it cannot be completely cured. If pathology is not detected in a timely manner, then the maximum life expectancy will not exceed 5 years.. In an extremely serious condition of the patient, maintenance therapy will delay the death by 3-5 months.

With pneumofibrosis in the lungs against the background inflammatory process, the connective tissue begins to grow, which leads to a violation of the lung structure and, in general, to a decrease in ventilation of the lungs. If the disease is not treated, the lungs, as a result of deformation, decrease in size. The disease can strike a person at any age, but, according to statistics, men get sick much more often than women.

Classification of pneumofibrosis

Disease classified by localization.

Focal - this type of pneumofibrosis is characterized by damage to one area of lung tissue, where a process develops, leading to compaction of a piece of lung.
diffuse - a more severe form, in which the whole lung is affected by inflammation, and sometimes both.

Forms of pneumofibrosis

non-progressive . The disease does not give symptoms. People who were diagnosed at the beginning of its development, having been treated, lead a healthy lifestyle without giving the disease progress.

Progressive . The disease makes itself felt by exacerbations. This form does not exclude complications, sometimes life-threatening.

Causes of the disease

For the most part, these are the consequences of previous diseases, for example, pneumonia, mycosis, tuberculosis, syphilis.
As well as the causes of the disease, one can name heredity, lung injuries, harmful working conditions associated with the inhalation of harmful particles in the air, bad habits, and the main one is smoking.

Symptoms

With a focal form of pulmonary fibrosis, there may be no symptoms at all. The disease often becomes known after passing the next fluorographic surveys.
Diffuse has many symptoms that can be confused with other diseases. The patient develops shortness of breath, severe cough with purulent discharge. Weakness, weight loss. Pain in the chest, sounds in the lungs when breathing.

Treatment

A pulmonologist will select a treatment for you based on the identified causes due to which the disease developed. In the most advanced forms, surgery will be required. But in all cases, one hundred percent recovery is not guaranteed. It's sad, but pneumofibrosis cannot be completely cured. In place of foci of inflammation in the tissues of the lungs, scars remain, which provoke pulmonary failure. A person who has had a pneumofibrosis should go in for sports regularly. Breathing exercises and physiotherapy exercises will help the lungs in enriching with oxygen.

Treatment with folk remedies

Wine tincture
Aloe, which grows in almost every home, will come to your aid. Rinse five large sheets well under running water, dry and cut as small as possible, you can rub it on a grater. Add two large spoons of honey, grind until completely combined and add half a liter of young red wine. Stir well again - the product is ready for use. Treat yourself by drinking one spoonful four times a day shortly before meals. Keep the medicine in a cool place between doses.
oatmeal broth
For treatment, you will need whole grains of oats, you can buy at the store. Pour a glass of oat grains with one liter of water and leave to infuse overnight. Put on fire and cook until the amount of liquid is reduced by half. Strain , divide into three portions and drink a day before meals .
onion treatment
We will give you two recipes for onion medicine.

Recipe 1. Peel and finely chop the onion , prepare sugar syrup , just enough to cover the chopped onion . Put on the stove and cook until the onion particles become transparent. If there is honey, instead of sugar syrup, you can boil onions in it - the remedy will be even more effective. Strain and drink one scoop up to ten times a day.
Recipe 2. Peel the onion , fill it whole with a glass of water and cook until the onion is ready . Pour out the broth and eat the onion in small portions throughout the day. If you cook onions in milk, the remedy will have an even greater healing effect.
Dried fruits treat
Raisins and dried apricots promote the activation of metabolism , have a diuretic effect , which helps to remove stagnant fluid from the lungs . Therefore, this recipe is worth adopting.
Dried fruits can be treated in two ways. You can simply pour boiling water over them, wait until they soften and eat a few pieces before eating. The second way is a little more difficult. One hundred grams of dried apricots or raisins, or a mixture of them, bring to a boil in a glass of water. Ten minutes later , drain the decoction and drink 2 tablespoons three times . And eat boiled dried fruits between the doses of the decoction.

Medicinal infusion
Prepare equally oats , thyme , pikulnik and eucalyptus . After thoroughly mixing the mixture, separate one large spoon, pour into a thermos and pour half a liter of boiling water. Let the night rest. Strain in the morning and drink half a cup. The infusion should be consumed hot and drunk throughout the day.
Healing decoction

Prepare the ingredients for the decoction. Take equally the leaves of plantain, mother and stepmother and pine buds. Mix thoroughly and bring four tablespoons to a boil in one glass of water. Remove after five minutes, strain. Divide the resulting broth into three equal parts and drink during the day.
Healing Blend
Prepare beets, carrots and horseradish by washing them thoroughly and drying them. Now squeeze one glass of juice from the beets and carrots, and grate the horseradish so that you get one glass of horseradish mass. Grind, passing through a meat grinder, walnuts, raisins and lemon with a crust - you also need one glass of the finished mass. Now shift everything and pour into one bowl, preferably glass, add a glass of honey and mix very thoroughly. The mixture is ready for use. The first three days, eat a teaspoon three times, then a tablespoon an hour before a meal or two after a meal. Treat for two months. After three weeks, you can be treated again.
Radish with honey

This is not the recipe we are used to when we cut off the top of a radish, take out the pulp, add honey and wait for the juice to appear. In this recipe, you can be treated immediately after preparation. Wash and dry a few black radish roots and start squeezing the juice from it until you get a full glass. Add one hundred grams of liquid honey to radish juice. Drink four times a day, two tablespoons before meals. The last dose is before bed.

Nettle tincture

Pour two hundred grams of fresh nettle or one hundred dry with a bottle of vodka. It is not necessary to close the lid, cover the top with a piece of gauze. Put it on the window for one day. Put in a dark closet for six days. Strain , squeeze nettle into tincture . Take one spoonful of nettle tincture before breakfast and lunch. And one more spoonful before going to bed.
Sage in milk
Put a saucepan on the fire, into which a glass of milk is poured. Pour one spoonful of sage into the milk, bring to a boil. Cool and strain. Bring the milk to a boil again. Drink hot before bed.
Honey massage
Every other day it is useful to massage the upper back with honey. Spread honey on your back and rub it until those since, bye palms not will become cling to back.
Fragrant decoction
Will help work lungs and cleanse them from harmful substances infusion from taken on spoon oregano and violets tricolor. Pour fragrant herbs two glasses boiling water and leave on the one hour. Drink how tea, but without additions Sahara. Can biting With dried fruits.
Healing collection
Replenish deficit oxygen in lungs and strengthen in them circulation infusion from seeds cumin, seeds fennel and spring adonis — on one parts and two parts horsetail. All very thoroughly mix and take one spoon collection, pour in cup boiling water, through thirty minutes strain, divide on the three parts and have a drink per day.
Agave on the Cahors

Leaves room plants agave finely cut into, fill in them floor—liter bank. Add to centennial fifty milliliters liquid honey and refill to the top Cahors. Submit in dark place for insistence on the ten days. Then strain, very Good wring out infused leaves agave and accept drug infusion three times in day on one spoon.
Dairy potion
Bring before boiling cup milk, add in him, bye it hotter, spoon pork fat and so many same honey. All thoroughly stir and wait, bye cool down. Fresh eggs whip and add to dairy mixtures. Have a drink all per one reception. AT day need do and drink dairy potion three times.
« Calciumite»
This recipe very old. Them treated sick at hemoptysis, them filmed increased temperature and gave at coughing. cook constituents: six the freshest chicken eggs, ten lemons, one cup cognac without aromatic additives and five hundred ml honey. Eggs, not breaking, put in glass bank, squeeze juice from lemons and pour them eggs. cover up bank gauze and take away in dark place. Each day check, need wait, bye shell dissolve under action lemon acids. Honey carefully melt before liquid states, connect With lemony—egg solution, transfuse in opaque glass crockery and store in refrigerator. Drink calciumite should thrice in day on one dessert spoon.
Infusion wild rose

Do wild rose infusion their daily drink. Brew boiling water several berries and let this healing infusion always costs on the your table. Drink little by little in flow Total days.
Each day eat beets, adding her in salads, and brew soups co beetroot.

Therapeutic gymnastics

All exercises directed on the strengthening diaphragm. Fulfill each on three times.

stand up directly, legs put how can wider, arms spread out in sides. Deep inhale, start slow incline forward, simultaneously exhaling air, try at this how can stronger draw in muscles belly.
lie down on the back, arms on the stomach. Exhale air through mouth, pressing hands on the diaphragm, how would helping exit air.
Deep inhale, freeze on the three seconds and start abruptly exhale through lips—tubule, not inflating cheeks. On the one deep breath at you must turn out not less ten jerky exhalations. it an exercise helps discharge sputum.
Deep inhale, freeze on the several seconds and sharp exhale through mouth.
Also do deep breath and hold up air in lungs. Arms before yourself, squeeze fists. Tighten up, arms bend and let me down to shoulders. Not exhaling, sharp recline arms in sides and, relaxing, exhale maximum air through mouth.
Reestablish breath will help an exercise, which recommend yoga. Slowly inhale twelve seconds, on the the following fourty eight seconds hold up breath. Exhale air should slowly, watch out per stopwatch and try stretch exhalation on the twenty four seconds.
Healthy inflation air balls. minutes five in the morning and in the evening give time this children's fun.
Or, filling in bank water, insert in her cocktail tubule and, having done breath through nose, exhale through mouth in water.

Prevention pneumofibrosis

try not catch a cold, for you very dangerous bronchitis, pneumonia, Yes and banal ORZ also may to give complication.
Ventilate room and residential, and working. If a you work on the production With harmful conditions labor, related With gas contamination, dustiness or elevated humidity air, necessarily put on respirator. BUT better change work.
come through medical examination not less often one times in year.

Video - Pneumosclerosis of the lungs

Pneumofibrosis of the lungs is a pathology in which the normal functional tissues of the organ are replaced by a connective tissue scar. It is called diffuse due to the fact that the disease affects not only some areas, but the entire surface of the lungs. The disease is considered life-threatening for the patient, since the ventilating capacity is reduced several times, and the cells do not receive enough oxygen. Since this condition is secondary and occurs against the background of other pathologies, treatment will be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease.

Etiology of diffuse pneumofibrosis

The disease belongs to the group of pneumosclerotic pathologies, that is, those that are manifested by sclerotization - the proliferation of connective tissue. The rate of its development is lower than sclerosis or cirrhosis of the lungs, but its symptoms are no less dangerous. Depending on the degree of damage to the lung tissue, the disease is usually classified into two varieties:

local pneumofibrosis;
diffuse type.

In the first case, small areas are visualized in the thickness of the organ, on which the connective tissue grows. This condition is considered less dangerous for the patient because the respiratory function is preserved. Diffuse pneumofibrosis is a lesion of most of the lungs, in which the organ is unable to perform its function.

Causes

Pneumofibrosis is not considered a separate disease, but a concomitant symptom or complication of other diseases. This condition can lead to chronic inflammatory processes or the ingestion of toxins on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. According to statistics, diffuse pneumofibrosis most often accompanies one of the following pathologies:

One of the most likely mechanisms for the development of pneumofibrosis is hypoxia, or insufficient blood supply to lung tissue. With a lack of oxygen, the alveoli become less elastic, fibroblast cells are activated. These cells produce collagen in large quantities, which underlies the formation of connective tissue.

Manifestations of the disease

Clinical signs of the disease begin to appear when the pathology spreads to significant areas of the lungs and does not allow them to perform their function. Symptoms largely depend on the cause of fibrosis and the primary pathology. A typical picture of the disease of pneumofibrosis will include the following symptoms:

dry cough or with sputum - it can be serous or purulent;
shortness of breath - first occurs after physical exertion, then accompanies the patient and at rest;
with severe hypoxia - cyanosis (cyanosis) of visible mucous membranes;
pain in the chest area;

The disease can progress, so treatment should be started at the stage of mild shortness of breath. In the future, when the connective tissue continues to grow, blood impurities appear in the sputum. On auscultation of the lower third of the lungs, the characteristic sound of cork friction is heard.

Diagnosis of diffuse pneumofibrosis

The clinical picture of the disease cannot give grounds for making an accurate diagnosis, so the patient is prescribed an additional examination. A complete picture of the disease can be obtained based on the results of the following studies:

radiography;
magnetic resonance or computed tomography;
external respiration testing;
bronchography;
blood tests.

A characteristic picture on x-rays is an increase and distortion of the lung pattern. Shadows also appear that indicate areas of damage to normal tissues. With the advanced form of fibrosis, the entire surface of the organ is distorted:

the pattern resembles a honeycomb;
the capillary network is broken;
anastomoses appear.

Bronchography with diffuse fibrosis will not indicate visible changes, and with local, typical extensions will appear.

One of the diagnostic methods is tests for external respiration, which will determine the degree of ventilation of the lungs. It is important to determine the functional vital capacity of the lungs. With pneumofibrosis of the lungs, a decrease in these values is observed.

Treatment Methods

Treatment of the disease is complex and depends on the methods of therapy of the underlying disease. Additionally, symptomatic agents are used to facilitate breathing. It is also necessary to develop the lungs and restore their elasticity with the help of special gymnastics. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed as etiotropic treatment. Since the cause of inflammatory processes in the lungs can be different microorganisms, broad-spectrum antibiotics are chosen. In combination with them, hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used.

Symptomatic treatment may include taking several groups of drugs:

cough medicines;
funds to strengthen the heart and blood vessels (cardiac glycosides);
painkillers;
vitamin complexes.

Of the additional methods of treating pneumofibrosis, it is useful to carry out oxygen therapy. This procedure saturates the tissues of the body with oxygen in the amount in which a healthy person usually receives it from the atmosphere.

They use physiotherapy (iontophoresis, exposure to ultrasound) and breathing exercises. Deep inhalations and exhalations, alternation of respiratory movements with and without the participation of the diaphragm will restore the elasticity of the alveoli and prevent further development of the disease.

Possible Complications

Progressive pneumofibrosis can provoke serious complications. This is mainly due to inflammatory processes and the risk of accession of pathogenic microflora. One of the undesirable consequences of fibrosis is a lung abscess. This condition is characterized by purulent fusion of organ tissues and a high probability of death. Doubtful prognosis and pneumofibrosis caused by tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a complication of pneumofibrosis

Disease prevention methods

The best prevention of pulmonary fibrosis, as well as other diseases of the respiratory system, is a healthy lifestyle. The environmental situation in many regions is not conducive to lung health, but there are ways to protect against environmental factors. Doctors give several recommendations on how to protect yourself from such diseases:

stop smoking;
pay attention to cardio loads - running or walking in the fresh air is useful;
in case of increased dust content of the air or the presence of toxins, use respirators;
perform breathing exercises to prevent and increase lung capacity.

Pneumofibrosis is a dangerous disease. With its diffuse variety, a large functional surface of the lungs is affected, and the body suffers from a lack of oxygen. The success of treatment depends on its timeliness - it is better to consult a specialist at the initial stages. The therapy is long and complex.

To get rid of the cause of fibrosis, potent medications are prescribed, and to restore tissue elasticity, physiotherapy and gymnastics are prescribed. In some cases, a significant improvement in the patient's condition can be achieved, but complete regeneration remains impossible.

Pneumofibrosis is actually the final stage (outcome) of chronic lung tissue disease. The outcome of a long-term pathology leads to the fact that even the appearance of the lungs worsens significantly. They become like an organ eaten away by ulcers. In medicine, this kind of them is called a “cellular lung”.

Features of chronic diseases of the lung tissue (these diseases are called interstitial) are associated with inflammatory processes in the interstitial tissue (the so-called connective tissue of the lungs). Part of this tissue is called the interstitium. Small blood vessels pass through this tissue, through which the function of gas exchange is carried out (carbon dioxide is exhaled, oxygen is taken to be transferred to the cells of the body).

In a healthy state, the interstitial tissue is very thin and almost invisible on X-ray. But in chronic diseases, it begins to thicken due to inflammation, become covered with edema and scars (the same pleuropneumofibrosis develops). The simplest symptom of this transformation is shortness of breath.

Pneumofibrosis is a consequence of inflammatory and / or dystrophic processes of the lungs, in which the lung tissue is replaced by connective tissue. At the same time, the formation of a “honeycomb lung” is noted with the formation of cavities and cysts in the lung itself. Fibrosis - this is a "perforated" lesion of lung tissue.

Pneumofibrosis belongs to the general group of pneumosclerotic pulmonary pathology along with pneumosclerosis and cirrhosis of the lungs. Such states differ from each other in that of all the pneumofibrosis is characterized by the slowest rate of growth of connective tissue.

For reference. More often, pneumofibrosis develops in males.

Pneumofibrosis of the lungs - what is it

Currently, pneumofibrosis occurs, unfortunately, more and more often. This is explained by the fact that:

The influence of harmful substances on the lungs is constantly increasing. The air we breathe becomes dirtier every day and slowly destroys lung tissue.
The frequency of chronicity of pathological processes in the lung tissue increases, which steadily lead to the development of pneumofibrosis.
The basis of pneumofibrosis is a gradual change in the elasticity of the lungs, deterioration of gas exchange processes.

The displacement of the lung tissue by the connective tissue occurs gradually. In general, the dynamics of such a process can be characterized by several stages of development:

Progressive hypoxia in the lungs. The lack of oxygen activates fibroblasts - connective tissue cells, which, during hypoxia, begin to actively produce collagen. It is this, constantly formed, collagen that is the connective tissue that replaces the lung.
Violation of lung ventilation. Under normal physiological conditions, the lung tissue is elastic and actively participates in the process of respiration. With an increase in the elasticity of the lung tissue, it becomes more difficult for the body to stretch it in order to perform full respiratory movements. Under such conditions, the pressure inside the lungs begins to rise, the walls of the alveoli are compressed.
Normally, the alveoli should expand during inspiration, but since pneumofibrosis gradually covers the lung, many alveoli can no longer perform their functions, as they are affected by connective tissue. In turn, the connective tissue does not have sufficient elastic properties and the alveoli, which lose their elasticity, cease to participate in respiratory movements.

This is because weak alveoli require little or no effort to stretch, the pressure in them decreases and they simply begin to collapse. Such areas are excluded from the breathing process, oxygen does not enter them, the functional surface of the lungs decreases.
Violation of drainage functions. Inflammation of the bronchial wall leads to its edema. The ability to outflow the inflammatory secret (exudate) is significantly reduced and its accumulation occurs. Against the background of the constant accumulation of inflammatory fluid, favorable conditions develop for the onset of an infection, which will lead to inflammation of all other parts of the lung.
At the same time, the bronchi begin to clog, intrapulmonary pressure changes, and the lobe or section of the lung with such affected bronchi begins to subside, not taking part in the performance of respiratory movements.
Violation of lymph and blood circulation. The growth of connective tissue leads to compression of the pulmonary vessels. In such arteries and veins, congestion begins to develop. In the case of the duration of this position, the stagnant fluid begins to sweat through the vascular walls, forming areas of effusion. Such areas, finding no way out, also begin to be replaced by connective tissue, further worsening the condition of the lungs.

For reference. The result of such violations is respiratory failure.

Causes of pneumofibrosis

The development of pneumofibrosis is a long process that can last several decades. In the development of such a state, there are
a number of reasons:

Syphilis.
Tuberculosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Heredity.
Constant inhalation of dust, harmful gases.
Diseases of the cardiopulmonary system with symptoms of stagnation.
Chest injury.
Ionizing radiation.
Hypoxia.
The use of certain medicinal substances with a high toxicity profile.
Fungal, viral, bacterial lung infections.
Lung atelectasis.
fibrosing alveolitis.
Silicosis and other occupational diseases of the lung tissue.
Vasculitis.

Any of these causes sooner or later becomes the direct cause of the loss of lung function due to the growth of connective tissue.

For reference. With a weakened immune system, even minor infections of the bronchi and lungs accelerate the development of pneumosclerosis.

Pneumofibrosis of the lungs consequences

The consequences of pulmonary fibrosis are obvious - the steady progression of connective tissue proliferation leads to a loss of lung capacity, loss of functionally active lung tissue, depletion of blood with oxygen, hypoxia and the development of respiratory failure, which ultimately in the vast majority of cases causes death of patients.

Do not forget about the development of pulmonary heart failure due to pneumofibrosis. The consequences of such a process are accompanied by loss of consciousness, edematous syndrome and the development of right ventricular hypertrophy.

Symptoms of pneumofibrosis

The leading clinical sign of pneumofibrosis is shortness of breath. At the beginning of the disease, it occurs with pronounced physical
loads and then at rest.

In general, the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis depend on its type, but there are common signs that are observed in all patients:

The development of a cough with the separation of viscous sputum, in which there is blood and pus.
Pain in the chest, aggravated by coughing.
Blue skin that first begins with acrocyanosis and then spreads to the entire surface of the skin. This phenomenon is associated with increasing hypoxia.
Weakness, fatigue.
Loss of body weight.
Frequent alternation of low and high body temperature.
Later, rales appear in the lungs.
Bulging of the neck veins.
Strengthening the symptoms of the underlying disease, which caused pneumofibrosis.

The progression of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of characteristic signs:

Changes in the fingers of the upper extremities (“fingers of Hippocrates”) - while the phalanges thicken, the nails can take on the appearance of watch glasses.
The development of hemoptysis, as a sign of insufficiency in the pulmonary circulation.

In its forms, pneumofibrosis varies depending on the cause, the extent of the lesion and the rate of spread.

Classification of pneumofibrosis

Radical

Most often, hilar pneumofibrosis of the lungs develops after suffering pneumonia, bronchitis. In such cases, it is not necessary to develop pneumofibrosis immediately, it can begin to form long after the underlying disease.

The main sign of hilar pneumofibrosis is the formation of areas of compaction in the lungs.

diffuse

Diffuse pneumofibrosis speaks for itself - it affects the entire lung tissue. This kind of pneumofibrosis faster than others leads to the development of respiratory failure in a short time. It is the most dangerous variety of all pneumofibrosis, since it can simultaneously affect both lungs. Very often complicated by the occurrence of pleuropneumofibrosis, involving the pleura in the pathological process.

Local

A more benign form of pneumofibrosis is considered local. In this case, a certain area of the lung undergoes replacement with connective tissue.

Focal

Focal pneumofibrosis is similar to local, since it also does not involve the entire lung in the pathological process. The difference is that with focal pneumofibrosis, several pathological foci are formed.

Basal

Basal pneumofibrosis is characterized by the fact that the main affected areas are the base of the lungs. With this form, treatment is prescribed in the presence of inflammation, the addition of a secondary infection. If there are no such signs, then breathing exercises are recommended.

Limited

Limited pneumofibrosis is similar to local. It is also characterized by a long and slow progression. With this process, small foci of pneumofibrosis practically do not suppress the function of respiration and do not disturb gas exchange.

Linear

This variety occurs against the background of frequent pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis and other inflammatory diseases of the lungs.

interstitial

For interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, one of the distinguishing features is the early onset of dyspnea. The leading cause of interstitial lesions is vasculitis - inflammation of blood vessels of various sizes.

Postpneumonic

In postpneumonic pneumofibrosis, large-focal areas of fibrosis begin to form after inflammation. Most often, such pneumofibrosis develops simultaneously with pneumonia and other inflammatory processes in the lungs.

Heavy

Severe pneumofibrosis is the lot of heavy smokers. Constant inhalation of nicotine leads to dysfunction of the bronchi, sputum retention in them. Also, severe pneumosclerosis can develop in chronic pathology of the bronchopulmonary system.

post-inflammatory

This kind of pneumofibrosis can be the result of absolutely any inflammation in the lungs.

Moderate

Moderate pneumofibrosis is characterized by a slight damage to lung tissue.

Pneumofibrosis in children

Pneumofibrosis does not spare children either. The development of pneumofibrosis in childhood has the same causes as in adults. That is why it is necessary to pay close attention to diseases of the respiratory system in children, not to start them, to carry out prevention, hardening, to limit the child as much as possible from contact with harmful substances.

Diagnostics

The most important method for diagnosing pneumofibrosis is an x-ray of the lungs. With its help, it is possible to determine the first symptoms of the disease, pathological changes, concomitant diseases.

Also, with the help of X-ray diagnostics, pneumofibrosis is differentiated from lung cancer.

The main radiological signs of pneumofibrosis will be:

Strengthening the pattern of the lungs.
Deformation of the lung pattern.
Expansion of vascular shadows.
"Lung shadows" with sharp, uneven contours, which are lesions.
Shadows that look like lines with a random direction, the formation of cells, which indicates the neglect of the process.

The next mandatory diagnostic method will be an assessment of the function of external respiration, vital capacity of the lungs and functional vital capacity.

The third necessary study will be bronchoscopy in order to recognize the form of the disease and exclude the oncological process.
As additional diagnostic measures, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography can be prescribed.

To diagnose lung diseases, you need to look for a qualified pulmonologist. Of course, a general practitioner or therapist can also make general recommendations. However, a specialist lung specialist such as a pulmonologist is preferable for complex cases.

Treatment of pneumofibrosis

Upon completion of all necessary diagnostic manipulations, it is necessary to begin treatment.

It is important that for pulmonary fibrosis treatment should be only complex with the use of all these therapeutic measures.

The main therapeutic measures aimed at improving the health of patients are:

Treatment of the underlying disease that caused the development of pneumofibrosis.
The use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs for signs of an infectious lesion (the choice of antibiotics depends only on the patient's condition and his concomitant pathologies.
Appointment of expectorant drugs on a chemical and plant basis (ACC, Lazolvan, Bromhexine, licorice root, anise, rosemary).
Taking glucocorticosteroids to enhance anti-inflammatory therapy (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone).
Cardiac glycosides with concomitant heart failure (Korglikon, Strofantin).
Vitamin therapy.
Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment depending on the condition and indications.
Therapy with oxygen.
Breathing exercises.
Diet.

Unfortunately, a complete cure for pneumofibrosis is currently impossible. The goal of treatment is to stop the pathological process, to preserve the activity of respiratory functions as much as possible and to delay the development of respiratory failure.

For reference. Running forms are an indication for surgical treatment.

Moreover, one should not hope that pneumofibrosis can be cured at home, at home. This approach can only worsen the course of the disease and its prognosis.

Attention! Treatment of pneumofibrosis is carried out only in a hospital!

All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pneumofibrosis must be registered at the dispensary for at least a year.

Prevention

The main method of preventing pneumofibrosis is timely diagnosis, proper treatment of the underlying disease and pneumofibrosis itself, as well as the implementation of all doctor's recommendations.

Smokers, of course, will have to give up their bad habit.

Attention. If the labor activity of a person is associated with constant contact with dangerous and toxic substances, then the best option would be to abandon such a profession.

Pneumofibrosis prognosis

Since pneumofibrosis is not an independent disease, but is a consequence of the underlying pathology, the prognosis will primarily be determined by the severity of the cause of pneumofibrosis.

Important. The constant replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue leads to destruction, deformation of the bronchi, a decrease in lung volume, and their wrinkling.

With the development of severe pulmonary insufficiency, especially complicated by the addition of a secondary infection, deaths are frequent.

In general, for most forms of pulmonary fibrosis, the prognosis is considered relatively unfavorable due to the impossibility of a complete cure for the disease.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe pathology of the respiratory organs, in which fibrous tissue forms in the lungs, interfering with the normal functioning of the organs. With the appearance of fibrous cords, the main characteristics of the lung tissue change significantly. It becomes less extensible, loses its elasticity. As a result, the function of filling the lungs with oxygen is impaired, due to which patients suffer from pulmonary insufficiency. Since the pathology is quite specific, it is important to know how to treat pulmonary fibrosis and whether there are prospects for the treatment of this disease.

The disease can occur in both acute and chronic stages. Acute pulmonary fibrosis occurs extremely rarely, mainly the disease occurs gradually and progresses for a long time, leading to respiratory failure. If such a complication is diagnosed in a patient, then the progression of the pathology in the future is rapid - in just a couple of months, patients are overtaken by a fatal outcome. Is it possible to cure patients from such a serious illness?

The danger of pulmonary fibrosis lies not only in the presence of the pathology itself, but also in the complications that the pulmonary disease causes. Severe consequences of fibrosis for patients are pleurisy, pneumothorax, chronic pulmonary heart and other diseases. Leading causes of death are respiratory and heart failure, thromboembolism, pneumonia and cancer.

Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is extremely difficult due to the fact that it is almost impossible to stop the progression of the appearance of fibrous tissue in the organ. Among the help to patients with pulmonary fibrosis are:

drug therapy;
surgical method of treatment - lung transplantation;
rehabilitation non-drug measures.

The main goal of all types of care is to provide the patient with an improvement in the quality of life and prevent further aggravation of the respiratory system.

Rehabilitation methods

Rehabilitation techniques are extremely important for patients because they minimize the manifestation of symptoms:

relieve shortness of breath;
improve the ability of patients to perform minimal physical activity, which becomes impossible with the development of respiratory failure.

As a preventive measure, doctors insist on the annual vaccination of such patients against influenza, since patients are extremely difficult to tolerate colds and then suffer from complications. Every five years, for the same purpose, patients are vaccinated against pneumococcus. In especially severe cases, plasmapheresis and hemosorption are performed.

Taking into account the individual capabilities of the patient and in order to prevent pneumosclerosis, physical training is carried out to activate, as far as possible, the work of the lungs and improve tissue oxygen saturation.

Medical treatment of the disease

The main categories of drugs that are preferred to treat pulmonary fibrosis are a group of cytostatics, glucocorticoids and antifibrotic agents. The most popular among glucocorticoids is Prednisolone. If the patient tolerates this medicine well, then it is prescribed for long courses up to three months. If therapy with Prednisolone is ineffective, cytostatic drugs are added to the treatment regimen and therapy is extended for another six months.

With the use of anti-fibrotic drugs, it is possible to stop the progression of the disease for a while.

Despite the fact that there are drugs that act against fibrosis of the lung tissue, the side effects of such drugs are very high. For example, glucocorticoid therapy leads to osteoporosis, myopathies, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and the appearance of mental disorders. Cytostatic drugs, in turn, disrupt the functioning of the gonads, promote baldness, inhibit hematopoiesis, reduce the protective properties of the body and can provoke gastrointestinal pathologies.

Azathioprine has much less side effects. This is a drug from the group of immunosuppressants that blocks cell division and the degeneration of tissues into fibrous ones. The drug is well absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, the maximum in the blood is reached 1-2 hours after ingestion. All patients can take the drug, except for pregnant women. If problems with the liver and kidneys occur, the drug is taken by dividing the dose by four times.

Also, as an antifibrotic agent, doctors prescribe patients Colchicine, which inhibits the production of fibronectin. A certain positive effect was also observed when Veroshpiron was used in patients, which prevents the formation of fibrous tissue not only in the lungs, but also in the liver and heart tissue.

Surgical treatment of pathology

If conservative treatment fails, doctors consider lung transplantation. There are clear indications for this:

the development of hypoxia if a person experiences physical stress;
a significant decrease in the vital capacity of the lungs;
a decrease in the diffuse capacity of the organ by half;
development of severe respiratory failure.

Sometimes a lung transplant is the only way to prolong the life of a patient with fibrosis. More than half of transplant patients have extended their lives by an average of five years. Every three months, such patients need to consult a general practitioner and a pulmonologist.

For many patients, it is lung transplantation that becomes the “lifeline”

For many patients, a lung transplant is the only way to cure fibrosis. Transplantation is carried out for those patients whose life expectancy, according to forecasts, will not exceed two years. The donor is chosen from healthy people, his age should not be more than 55 years. If a single lung transplant is performed, then the age of the donor is up to 65 years. The donor should not smoke, he should have a normal radiograph, no aspiration discharge in the bronchi.

It is very important that the lungs of the donor match the lungs of the recipient.

Before transplantation, a visual control and a test for tissue compatibility are carried out. An interesting fact is that only every fourth lung is suitable for transplantation. Before the lung is taken, a special solution is injected into the donor and the pulmonary artery is washed, and then the lung is removed and filled with 100% oxygen. In this form, it is transported to the recipient, the temperature should be from 0 to -1 degrees.

The operation is performed using a thoracotomy. After removal of the affected lung, the bronchus is sutured, and then an anastomosis of the vessels is created. During the operation, the donor's lungs are under a gauze napkin, in which ice crumbs are wrapped. Once the operation is done, the recipient is scheduled for intensive care:

prescribe significant doses of antibacterial agents to prevent infections;
physiotherapy treatment;
perform bronchoscopy.

Usually, in case of an unfavorable operation, rejection can begin from 3 to 5 days, almost all recipients whose lungs were rejected experienced this process within the first month. If this does not happen, the operation can be considered successful.

Treatment with folk remedies

It is possible to alleviate the symptoms of the disease with folk remedies. For this purpose, you can use various infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs. As an example, we give several recipes for the treatment of pneumofibrosis.

To prepare the medicine, you will need to take rose hips and elecampane root in equal parts, grind the components and pour one glass of water in a saucepan with water at the rate of one tablespoon of the dry component. This remedy must be brought to a boil and boiled over low heat for 15 minutes, then placed in a thermos for three hours to infuse.

Rosehip broth with elecampane should be drunk in half a glass for two months before meals. It is very important not to interrupt the treatment, to have a ready remedy on hand in order to always drink the medicine. Elecampane in combination with wild rose helps to remove phlegm from the lungs, restores tissues and protects the lungs from inflammation.

Rosehip and elecampane will help to cope with the symptoms of the disease, but will not eliminate its cause.

Another recipe for treating fibrosis is the use of aniseed. To prepare the product, you will need one tablespoon of anise seeds, which is poured into a glass of water, brought to a boil and immediately removed from the stove. The broth should be allowed to cool, after which it is recommended to drink half a glass of liquid.

Rosemary also showed itself in the fight against pulmonary fibrosis. It not only cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, but also improves blood circulation in the lungs and bronchi and helps restore lung tissue. Sprigs of finely chopped rosemary must be mixed in equal proportions with water and simmer for a couple of hours in the oven.

As soon as the time has passed, the oven is turned off, the rosemary is cooled and exactly the same volume of liquid honey is added. The product is well mixed and put in the refrigerator. Use the medicine once a day in the morning.

It will help to cope with the symptoms of pathology and flaxseed. Cough and shortness of breath annoy patients with pneumofibrosis, so to eliminate these signs of the disease, you need to prepare an infusion of flaxseed - add a glass of boiling water to a tablespoon of the seed and keep it covered for twenty minutes. Every evening you need to drink one glass of the remedy.

Herbal infusion will help eliminate the manifestations of pneumofibrosis and alleviate the health of patients. For its preparation, it is recommended to take mistletoe, elecampane, hawthorn, cyanosis roots, ephedra and mix everything thoroughly. Then the agent is poured with a glass of boiling water (per 1 tablespoon) and infused for half an hour. You can boil the contents for five minutes on fire. Take half a glass twice a day.

When treating pulmonary fibrosis, it must be remembered that complete recovery cannot be achieved. Patients receive only symptomatic therapy, which alleviates the course of the disease, but the disease can be completely cured only by a radical method.