What is Pneumonosis?
Pneumonosis is a general medical term used to describe any non-infectious inflammatory or pathological condition of the lungs. Unlike pneumonia—which typically refers to an infectious lung inflammation—pneumonosis encompasses a broad range of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, drug-induced lung injury, radiation pneumonitis, and occupational lung diseases.
Note: In modern clinical practice, "pneumonosis" is rarely used as a standalone diagnosis. Instead, specific conditions like pulmonary fibrosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis are preferred for clarity.
Common Causes
- Environmental exposures: Mold, bird proteins, dust, chemicals
- Medications: Chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics (e.g., nitrofurantoin), antiarrhythmics
- Radiation therapy: Especially to the chest area
- Autoimmune disorders: Such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma
- Idiopathic: No identifiable cause (e.g., idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
Symptoms
Symptoms of pneumonosis often develop gradually and may include:
- Shortness of breath (especially during exertion)
- Dry, persistent cough
- Fatigue and weakness
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Unintended weight loss (in chronic cases)
These symptoms can mimic other respiratory conditions, making accurate diagnosis essential.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis typically involves:
- Chest X-ray or high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
- Blood tests for autoimmune markers
- In some cases, lung biopsy
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:
- Avoiding known triggers (e.g., removing exposure to allergens)
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Immunosuppressive medications
- Oxygen therapy for advanced cases
- Pulmonary rehabilitation programs
Medical English Vocabulary
Key terms related to pneumonosis:
- Interstitial: Relating to the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs
- Fibrosis: Scarring of lung tissue
- Hypersensitivity: An exaggerated immune response to a substance
- Pneumonitis: Inflammation of lung tissue (often used interchangeably with pneumonosis in non-infectious contexts)
- Dyspnea: Medical term for shortness of breath