Basal pneumosclerosis of the lungs is a pathological condition in which healthy tissue is replaced by connective tissue in the presence of inflammatory processes. In this case, there is a violation of elasticity and an almost complete absence of gas exchange, deformation of the bronchi and compaction of the lungs, their decrease in size. The lungs cease to function fully, so that a person begins to experience breathing problems. The main danger of the disease is that the body does not receive enough oxygen. Without adequate treatment for basal pulmonary pneumosclerosis, respiratory and heart failure will develop.
Clinical picture
Basal pneumosclerosis, as a rule, develops against the background of other diseases, being only a symptom or complication. Symptoms depend on the stage of development of the disease, the form and area of the lesion. So, with focal pneumosclerosis, the patient will be disturbed only by mild shortness of breath after physical activity, since the tissues will not lose elasticity. The disease itself in this case progresses very slowly.
Over time, an intense morning cough appears, which quickly passes and does not bother the patient at other times of the day. Patients often do not pay attention to this symptom at all. But then shortness of breath intensifies, appearing even after a slight load, a person begins to experience fatigue, and the general condition worsens. The main sign of lung damage is chronic respiratory failure.
When examining and questioning the patient, the doctor can identify the following signs of basal pneumosclerosis:
- shortness of breath with minor exertion, at rest, or during a conversation;
- pallor of the skin, cyanosis (due to lack of oxygen);
- frequent breathing
- decreased performance;
- causeless weight loss;
- difficulty breathing, requires effort;
- retraction of intercostal spaces, displacement towards the damaged lung;
- muscle weakness, dizziness when changing posture and migraine;
- frequent nausea
- various sleep disorders;
- swelling of the extremities.
With an extensive lesion, the cough becomes permanent, it is lingering, does not bring relief, is accompanied by pressing or compressing pains in the chest. Due to high pressure in the pulmonary circulation, a state of respiratory failure develops, which is characterized by:
- swelling of veins on the neck;
- pain in the heart;
- shortness of breath even in a calm position;
- apathy and indifference;
- the appearance of extraneous noise in the ears;
- throbbing in the upper abdomen.
At the last stages, the work of the kidneys is disturbed, the amount of urine decreases, the liver grows in size, and extensive swelling appears.
Causes of the disease
Basal pneumosclerosis of the lungs is often the result of an unsatisfactory mental state of a person. Constant stresses, excessive physical exertion, accumulating fatigue and problems lead to aggressiveness and irritability. Stress negatively affects physical health. The lymphatic system loses the ability to supply all the necessary elements to the cells.
What is pneumosclerosis in the basal lungs? This is a pathology of the respiratory system, which threatens the development of heart failure and oxygen starvation. The disease is more often concomitant. Causes of basal pneumosclerosis:
- tuberculosis;
- chest trauma;
- Chronical bronchitis;
- viral pneumonia;
- emphysema;
- alveolitis;
- Beck's disease;
- hit in the bronchi of a foreign body;
- radiation damage;
- parenchyma;
- sarcoidosis;
- other hereditary and genetic diseases;
- adverse external environment.
In each case, during the diagnosis, the doctor notes the presence of additional diseases of the respiratory system that the person does not treat. This is accompanied by weakened immunity, the use of medications (especially broad-spectrum antibiotics) without the recommendation of a physician and in excess of normal dosages.
The main provoking factor of basal pneumosclerosis is the professional activity of a person. People employed in industrial or manufacturing enterprises receive certain harm. The risk group includes miners, mechanics, plumbers, bricklayers, chemical analysis laboratory assistants, electric welders, workers in contact with cement, asbestos, and marble.
The following factors can affect the formation of sclerotic processes in the lungs:
- left ventricular failure;
- toxic effects of medications;
- pulmonary artery thrombosis;
- radiation exposure;
- decreased immunity (including due to autoimmune diseases).
Diagnosis of the disease
To identify basal basal pneumosclerosis or another type of disease, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis. From time to time it is recommended to undergo examinations for people who are at risk, athletes, patients with a predisposition to diseases of the respiratory system, people of advanced age (especially men who suffer from pneumosclerosis more often than women).
The main diagnostic method is chest x-ray. Pathological changes will manifest themselves in the form of characteristic zones. The CT method is also used, but rarely enough. When visualized on computed tomography, altered sections of the lung are also visible. Diagnoses can evaluate the inflammatory process and pathological neoplasms.
Bronchoscopy, that is, the introduction of a small chamber into the respiratory system to detect deformities, will help determine pneumosclerosis of the basal parts of the lungs. The procedure (even despite the introduction of pain medications) is very unpleasant, but it allows you to get an accurate result. Spirography is also performed - a study of respiratory function using a special apparatus.
At the initial treatment, the doctor conducts an examination and collects an anamnesis. A preliminary diagnosis is made on the basis of the following signs of the disease:
- lung reduction;
- percussion sound distortion;
- vesicular noise.
The reasons for the examination are given by a rapid pulse and hypertension, which are also observed with pneumosclerosis of the basal parts of the lungs. Additionally, the patient can be referred to a cardiologist and other specialists with a narrow profile to establish the cause of the disease.
Therapies
Treatment of basal pulmonary pneumosclerosis largely depends on the form and severity of the disease. It is important that the decision on the need for the use of certain methods of therapy can only be made by the attending physician (therapist or pulmonologist). With limited pneumosclerosis, special treatment may not be required at all, but this is only if the patient's condition is satisfactory.
A patient with basal pneumosclerosis is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle and regularly undergo examinations by a specialist. This will help prevent the progress of the pathology. In medical practice, the following methods can be used to treat a disease:
- drug treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- diet therapy;
- surgical intervention;
- oxygen therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- some traditional medicine.
It is categorically impossible to independently take any measures. This may not only be ineffective, but also pose a health hazard. It is important that the treatment of basal pulmonary pneumosclerosis should be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease, which caused the development of pathological processes in the tissues of the respiratory system.
Innovative techniques
The modern method of therapy is the use of stem cells. This allows you to fully restore the structure of the body and normalize its functioning. Stem cells can transform into cells of any tissue. But the procedure is expensive, since it is very difficult to obtain material.
Stem cells are injected into the patient’s body. With blood, they move to the affected organ, where they replace tissues. Over time, the lungs acquire normal sizes, the original elasticity and elasticity return. At the same time, the work of the heart muscle and nervous system is normalized, immunity is strengthened, the hormonal background becomes balanced.
Another new technique, which does not promote tissue regeneration, but is aimed at improving the metabolism in cells, is oxygen therapy. The essence of the procedure is that with the help of special masks, tubes and catheters, the body is saturated with oxygen.
Medicines
There are no special medications developed for the treatment of basal pneumosclerosis. Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating the disease that caused the pathological changes. Most often, the following groups of drugs are used in the treatment:
- antibiotics
- cardiac glycosides (Digoxin, Isoniazid, Strofantin);
- mucolytic drugs ("Lazolvan", "Erespal", "Atsts", "Ascoril" and others);
- glucocorticoids;
- angioprotectors (to improve blood circulation);
- hormones (to stop the inflammatory process);
- syrups and tablets with expectorant properties;
- detoxification drugs ("Penicillamine")
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
Vitamin therapy is an essential component of drug treatment. It is necessary to strengthen the immune system and improve the functioning of internal organs, to improve the general condition of the body. For a patient with basal pneumosclerosis, vitamins A, C, E, group B will be useful.
Often, patients are prescribed physiotherapy. The most popular in the treatment of the disease in question are electrophoresis and ultrasound with novocaine. Such methods can be applied only in the absence of pulmonary insufficiency, otherwise severe complications will arise. Positive dynamics at almost any stage of the disease can be achieved using inductothermy, electrophoresis with iodine, ultrasound irradiation.
Folk remedies
Treatment of basal pneumosclerosis with folk remedies is permissible in the early stages of the development of the disease. Such methods will help maintain the general condition of the patient, prevent complications and accelerate recovery. Traditional medicine recommends taking a tablespoon of aloe in a tablespoon three times a day. To prepare such a drug, you need to take 3-4 sheets of aloe, chop into gruel, add two tablespoons of honey and 100 g of red wine. All ingredients must be mixed until smooth. Keep the product in the refrigerator.
An excellent antiseptic with a sedative effect is a tincture of eucalyptus leaves. The leaves need to be chopped and pour boiling water, then add honey and leave the composition for 15 minutes. The tool must be taken one tablespoon in the morning and evening. A good result from traditional medicine can be expected only if they are properly prepared and used as directed by a doctor. Consulting a therapist before applying alternative medicine recipes is necessary, otherwise you can only unknowingly aggravate your health.
Diet therapy
How to treat basal pulmonary pneumosclerosis? In cases where drug therapy is not required, doctors are limited to recommendations on lifestyle and nutrition. The diet should include a large number of nutrients. In the menu, you should definitely enter products with a high content of vitamins B, A, E and C, folic acid. Salt should be consumed in a limited way; alcoholic beverages must be completely eliminated.
Pathology Prevention
The main measure for the prevention of pathology is the prevention or timely treatment of all inflammatory, infectious and other diseases of the respiratory system. In addition, in order to prevent pulmonary pneumosclerosis, experts recommend:
- to refuse from bad habits;
- change jobs if the current one requires interaction with toxic substances (if this is not possible, then you need to take care of respiratory protection and regularly undergo medical examinations to identify the disease at an early stage);
- perform breathing exercises;
- daily walks in the fresh air;
- eat properly;
- take vitamin-mineral complexes (vitamins should be drunk as prescribed by a doctor);
- to undergo a medical examination from time to time.
Possible complications
If you begin to treat basal pneumosclerosis at an early stage, then you can avoid complications. In the absence of therapy, serious consequences are possible: complex changes in the structure of the respiratory system, heart failure, oxygen starvation, and as a result of any secondary infection, the patient may die at all. To prevent undesirable consequences, it is necessary to listen to the doctor’s recommendations, do not ignore the proposed treatment.
The prognosis of pneumosclerosis
With the timely detection of the disease and appropriate treatment, compliance with the recommendations of the physician, adequate therapy and lifestyle changes, the prognosis is quite favorable. In this case, the patient has every chance of a successful recovery. If any alarming symptoms are found, you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate therapy, so that you can not only avoid possible complications, but also recover from the disease as soon as possible.