Is interstitial lung disease restrictive or obstructive

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Restrictive vs. Obstructive Lung Diseases

Restricted vs. Obstructed Lungs

Lung diseases can be classified as either restrictive or obstructive. Restrictive lung diseases cause a decrease in lung volume. Obstructive lung diseases trap air in the lungs and therefore increase lung volume. FEV1 is the forced expiratory volume in one second or the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out in one second, after full inspiration. FVC is the forced vital capacity or the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration and expiration. Both these values can be measured by spirometry. The ratio between the FEV1 and FVC can help distinguish between restrictive and obstructive lung diseases.Restrictive lung diseases can be caused by either poor breathing mechanics (a result of conditions like myasthenia gravis, obesity, and scoliosis) or can result from interstitial lung disease such as pneumoconioses or ARDS. Lung volume decreases in restrictive lung disease and the FEV1/FVC ratio is normal to increased (ie. greater than 80%) due to a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC). Obstructive lung disease is characterized by airway obstruction and it is associated with inflammation of the airways and problems exhaling. Types of obstructive lung disease include asthma, bronchiectasis and COPD (chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema). Obstructive lung disease results in air trapping in the lungs which expands the lung volume over time. A decrease in the FEV1/FVC ratio suggests an obstructive condition.

6 KEY FACTS

Restrictive lung diseases can be due to poor breathing mechanics, as a result of conditions like myasthenia gravis, obesity, and scoliosis. They may also be caused by interstitial lung disease. In restrictive lung disease, the lung volume decreases and the FEV1/FVC ratio is normal to increased (ie. greater than 80%) due to a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC).

Mechanical, pleural or interstitial pathology restrict lung expansion, resulting in decreased lung volume.

FEV1 is the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out in one second, after full inspiration. This can be measured with spirometry. FVC is the forced vital capacity or the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration and expiration. The ratio between the FEV1 and FVC can help distinguish between restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. A ratio that is normal or increased (ie. greater than 80%) suggests a restrictive condition.

Obstructive lung disease is characterized by airway obstruction and associated with inflammation of the airways and problems exhaling. Types of obstructive lung disease are asthma, bronchiectasis and COPD (chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema).

Obstructive lung disease results in air trapping in the lungs, which expands the lung volume over time.

FEV1 is the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out in one second, after full inspiration. This can be measured by spirometry. FVC is the forced vital capacity or the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration and expiration. The ratio between the FEV1 and FVC can help distinguish between restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. A decrease in the ratio suggests an obstructive condition.

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Lung and Respiratory System

What is restrictive lung disease?

Restrictive lung disease, a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs are able to hold, is often due to a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs themselves or caused by a problem related to the expansion of the chest wall during inhalation. Examples of restrictive lung diseases include asbestosis, sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of restrictive lung disease include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic testing for lung disease may include any of the following:

  • Pulmonary function tests

  • Chest X-ray

  • CT scans

  • Bronchoscopy

  • Pulse oximetry

Treatment

As with diagnostic testing, treatment of lung disease depends on many factors, such as the type and stage of disease, family history, patient’s medical history and the health and age of the patient. Any of the following may be used for treating lung disease:

  • Inhalers

  • Expectorants

  • Antibiotics

  • Oxygen therapy

  • Chemotherapy

  • Lung transplantation

Is interstitial lung disease obstructive?

Most ILDs are 'restrictive' pulmonary disorders, i.e., the lungs have a reduced ability to expand on inhalation. This is in contrast to 'obstructive' pulmonary disorders such as asthma, COPD and emphysema, in which the airways of the lungs become narrowed or blocked so the patient cannot exhale completely.

What lung disease is both obstructive and restrictive?

Neurological Restrictive Lung Diseases A person may also have symptoms and tests that suggest a combination of obstructive and restrictive disease (for example, when a person has both COPD and pneumonia).

What are some restrictive lung diseases?

Examples of restrictive lung diseases include asbestosis, sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

What is considered interstitial lung disease?

Interstitial lung disease refers to a group of about 100 chronic lung disorders characterized by inflammation and scarring that make it hard for the lungs to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis.