An inflammatory process affecting the lung parenchyma. It is a milder form of lung inflammation compared to pneumonia.
Symptoms of Pneumonitis
The following features are indicative of Pneumonitis:
shortness of breath
cough
fatigue
loss of appetite
unintentional weight loss
It is possible that Pneumonitis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
Get TabletWise Pro
Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.
Common Causes of Pneumonitis
The following are the most common causes of Pneumonitis:
repeated exposure to molds and bacteria
exposure to feathers of birds
exposure to radiation treatment
Risk Factors for Pneumonitis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Pneumonitis:
poultry workers
farming activities
breeding of birds
moldy conditions in hot tubs
use of home humidifiers
Prevention of Pneumonitis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Pneumonitis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
wear pollen mask
use of personal dust respirator
Occurrence of Pneumonitis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Pneumonitis cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Pneumonitis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Pneumonitis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Pneumonitis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Pneumonitis:
Chest X-ray examination: To diagnose the entire section of lungs
Spirometry: Measures the amount of inhaled air and exhaled air in a specific period of time
Bronchoscopy: To view airways and collect samples from lungs
Doctor for Diagnosis of Pneumonitis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Pneumonitis:
Pulmonologist
Complications of Pneumonitis if untreated
Yes, Pneumonitis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Pneumonitis is left untreated:
pulmonary fibrosis
right heart failure
Self-care for Pneumonitis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Pneumonitis:
Wear pollen mask: Prevents irritation of lungs from pollen grains and dust particles
Time for Treatment of Pneumonitis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Pneumonitis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: