^

Health

A
A
A

Diffuse pneumosclerosis

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Diffuse pneumosclerosis is a disease that affects the entire lung. In some cases, both lungs are affected.

The lung tissue is compacted, the lung volume is reduced, and there is no trace left of the normal structure.

trusted-source[ 1 ]

Causes of diffuse pneumosclerosis

The causes of diffuse pneumosclerosis are varied. Thus, it usually appears against the background of existing problems with the lungs. These include: pneumonia, tuberculosis, mycosis, long-term massive pleurisy, sarcoidosis, injuries and wounds of the chest and lung parenchyma. Naturally, heredity also plays a significant role.

The phenomenon may also develop due to insufficient volume and effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapy for all the above-described diseases. The disease may also appear against the background of hemodynamic disturbances in the pulmonary circulation system.

Therefore, when treating diseases associated with pneumonia, it is necessary to be especially vigilant and careful. After all, the consequences of incorrect treatment may have an effect in the future. Getting rid of pneumosclerosis is not so easy. This fact must be taken into account. It is especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular diseases. Diffuse pneumosclerosis is diagnosed by a doctor.

trusted-source[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Symptoms of diffuse pneumosclerosis

The symptoms of diffuse pneumosclerosis are specific. Thus, initially a person feels only shortness of breath. At first, it appears during physical exertion, and later at rest. The person's skin becomes cyanotic. This happens due to decreased ventilation of the alveolar tissue of the lungs.

The most characteristic symptom is the Hippocratic fingers symptom. They change shape and become similar to drumsticks. Diffuse pneumosclerosis is accompanied by chronic bronchitis. Patients begin to be bothered by a cough, which is protracted at first and then obsessive.

The underlying disease aggravates the course of pneumosclerosis. This may be chronic pneumonia or bronchiectasis. Aching chest pain, weakness, increased fatigue and weight loss may occur. In some cases, signs of pulmonary cirrhosis develop. This is a gross deformation of the chest, atrophy of the intercostal muscles, displacement of the heart, large vessels and trachea towards the affected side. Diffuse pneumosclerosis is accompanied by hypertension of the pulmonary circulation and symptoms of pulmonary heart disease.

Diffuse pneumosclerosis and pulmonary emphysema

Often diffuse pneumosclerosis and pulmonary emphysema "go" together. The latter disease is a serious consequence of the former. Emphysema is understood as an increased air content in the lungs. This disease can be both focal and diffuse.

Pneumosclerosis, in turn, is a sclerosis of the lung tissue that develops as a result of a chronic or dystrophic process. It can be attributed to the final stage of chronic pneumonia. Moreover, it has many common clinical features with it.

Chronic bronchitis and the associated infection of the bronchial wall with impaired bronchial patency play an important role in the etiology of pulmonary emphysema and pneumosclerosis. Impaired ventilation and accumulation of sputum in small bronchi leads to the development of pulmonary emphysema and pneumosclerosis. Any disease that is accompanied by bronchospasm can accelerate this phenomenon. Therefore, diffuse pneumosclerosis is easier to prevent than to treat.

Diffuse moderate pneumosclerosis

Diffuse moderate pneumosclerosis has a similar picture as the main type of the disease. However, it is characterized by a simpler course. Naturally, pneumosclerosis exerts the strongest "pressure" on the body. Initially, a person may not even feel the presence of this disease. Everything happens gradually. Starting from mild shortness of breath during physical activity and ending with serious breathing problems at rest.

With such a symptom, you should immediately contact a doctor. After all, in fact, this is a serious disease that can "gain momentum" in the future. Despite the fact that diffuse pneumosclerosis itself is a consequence of diseases associated with respiratory problems. It can also lead to the development of more "terrible" consequences. All this negatively affects the human body and its vital functions. Moderate diffuse pneumosclerosis usually does not pose a serious danger, but despite this, it must be identified and eliminated in time.

trusted-source[ 5 ]

Where does it hurt?

What's bothering you?

Consequences of diffuse pulmonary pneumosclerosis

The consequences of diffuse pulmonary pneumosclerosis are also observed and they are no less dangerous than the main disease. It so happened that this disease occurs against the background of problems with the respiratory organs, namely the lungs. But pneumosclerosis itself has serious consequences.

Thus, pulmonary heart disease may develop. Constant attacks of increased pressure in the pulmonary artery are not excluded. The person experiences persistent respiratory failure.

It is important to understand that diffuse pneumosclerosis can even lead to death. It occurs due to the addition of a secondary infection, mycosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis and scleroderma. That is why the disease must be eliminated in time. Even the most common pneumonia can lead to the development of serious problems. Diffuse pneumosclerosis is much "more terrible" than it, therefore, it is important to start the correct treatment in time. After all, the consequences can be really serious and even fatal.

trusted-source[ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Diagnosis of diffuse pneumosclerosis

Diagnostics of diffuse pneumosclerosis includes several methods. Thus, physical data directly depend on the localization of pathological changes. Usually, sharply weakened breathing, wet and dry wheezing are heard over the affected area, percussion sound is dull.

A chest X-ray will help determine the presence of a problem. This method can detect changes in the lung tissue during asymptomatic pneumosclerosis. Naturally, their prevalence, nature and severity are visible. In order to detail the condition of the affected areas, CT of the lungs, MRI and bronchography are performed.

Radiographic signs of the disease are varied. Because they reflect not only sclerotic changes in the lungs, but also a picture of concomitant diseases. This may be pulmonary emphysema, bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis. Radiographs show a decrease in the size of the affected part of the lung, an increase, mesh and loopiness of the pulmonary pattern along the branches of the bronchi due to deformation of their walls, sclerosis and infiltration of the peribronchial tissue.

Bronchograms show convergence or deviation of the bronchi, their narrowing and deformation, while small bronchi are not determined. When conducting a bronchoscopy study, bronchiectasis and signs of chronic bronchitis are often detected.

When examining the functions of external respiration, a decrease in the vital capacity of the lungs and the bronchial patency index is revealed. In fact, diffuse pneumosclerosis can be determined without additional tests, but in order to prescribe effective treatment, they cannot be avoided.

trusted-source[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

What do need to examine?

What tests are needed?

Who to contact?

Treatment of diffuse pneumosclerosis

Treatment of diffuse pneumosclerosis includes several methods. They are all aimed at treating the diseases that caused the development of this problem. This can be either a medicinal solution to the problem or the use of folk methods.

In order to improve bronchial patency, expectorant agents are usually used. Not the least important role in this matter is played by drugs whose action is aimed at thinning sputum. Bronchial spasmolytic agents are used for shortness of breath. If blood circulation is insufficient, cardiac glycosides are used. For severe allergic manifestations, glucocorticoids are used.

If bronchitis and pneumonia often bother you, doctors use antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. In addition to medications, exercise therapy can also help eliminate the problem. It is useful to conduct oxygen therapy, physiotherapy and do chest massage. Regular hardening significantly improves the patient's condition. Naturally, you will have to give up bad habits.

Surgical elimination of the problem is prescribed exclusively for limited pneumosclerosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and in case of suppuration. Surgeons remove the affected area of the lung. Thus, diffuse pneumosclerosis is completely eliminated.

Treatment of diffuse pneumosclerosis with folk remedies

Treatment of diffuse pneumosclerosis with folk remedies is possible, but only after approval of the attending physician. Thus, there are several basic effective recipes.

  • Method one. Take 200 grams of nettle and pour 500 ml of vodka over it. Cover the vessel with gauze on top. Infuse this remedy in a light place for 24 hours, then in a dark place for 6 days. After the specified time, strain and squeeze everything out. The tincture is ready. Take it 2 times a day, on an empty stomach, one teaspoon 30 minutes before meals. Use the tincture until it runs out.
  • Method two. Add a tablespoon of sage to a glass of milk. Bring it all to a boil over low heat. Then cool the broth and strain. Then bring the "drink" to a boil again. Drink the tincture hot before bed.
  • Method three. For a lingering cough and pneumonia, it is advisable to use the following recipe. You need to take 1-1.2 kg of linden honey and 1 glass of finely chopped aloe leaves. Add to this 200 g of olive oil, 150 g of birch buds and 50 g of linden blossom. Melt the honey, add the aloe leaves and steam well. Then you need to start preparing a decoction of linden blossom and birch buds. Pour the available raw materials with two glasses of water and boil for a minute. Then strain everything, squeeze out and mix with honey. The mixture should be poured into two bottles equally. Then add 100 grams of olive oil to each of them. Store the resulting "medicine" in a cool place. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. Shake the bottle before use.

Diffuse pneumosclerosis does not like beets, vitamins and mineral salts. Therefore, all these "components" must be in the diet of every person.

Prevention of diffuse pneumosclerosis

Prevention of diffuse pneumosclerosis consists of following some rules. So, first of all, it is necessary to promptly eliminate all problems with the respiratory tract. Because pneumosclerosis is a consequence of these diseases. It is advisable to eliminate colds and infections.

If the treatment is high-quality and effective, there can be no consequences. It is also necessary to observe some precautions when interacting with pneumotoxic substances, as well as taking pneumotoxic drugs. In hazardous industries associated with inhalation of gases and dust, it is mandatory to use respirators, install exhaust ventilation in mines and at the workplaces of glass cutters, grinders, etc. All this will protect the lungs from negative effects on them.

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you must immediately contact a doctor. This will save a person's life and not lead to serious consequences. Because diffuse pneumosclerosis can lead to death.

Prognosis of diffuse pneumosclerosis

The prognosis of diffuse pneumosclerosis directly depends on the progression of changes in the lungs and the rate of development of respiratory and cardiac failure. After all, the disease can take various forms and from this treatment, and the further outcome of the situation is in question.

The most deplorable results are observed in pneumosclerosis, which is characterized by the formation of a "honeycomb lung" and the addition of a secondary infection. When a "honeycomb lung" forms, respiratory failure is sharply aggravated, the pressure in the pulmonary artery increases, and pulmonary heart disease develops. The addition of a secondary infection, including mycotic or tuberculous processes against the background of an existing disease often leads to a fatal outcome. That is why the disease must be identified and eliminated in time. Any problems with the lungs can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, you should not delay visiting a doctor. What prognosis diffuse pneumosclerosis will "carry" depends on the person himself.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.