[제주교통복지신문 김지홍 기자] It is usually represented by pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and encompasses over 150 different diseases. And at the center of it, there is the possibility of fibrosis of the lung parenchyma or interstitial tissue.
Recently, the number of patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis after corona infection has increased. This is often due to chronic pneumonia caused by Corona sequelae. In the case of viral or bacterial inflammation, the rate of progression to fibrosis is low, but inflammation of the lung without fever tends to cause degeneration into fibroblasts.
The fact that the lungs become fibrotic has several meanings.
As the lung tissue, which should be flexible and elastic, loses its elasticity, it cannot expand and contract well even when breathing. I want to breathe in deeply, but it means that I have to take a shallow breath, which means a decrease in lung capacity.
In addition, when the amount of fibroblast tissue increases, the alveolar wall or interstitial tissue becomes hard and thick, making it difficult to supply oxygen to the blood vessels extending in the interstitial tissue. Oxygen saturation is reduced because the smooth exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is disturbed.
When fibrosis has progressed in some lung tissue in the early stages, the decrease in lung capacity may not be noticeable. However, as it progresses toward the terminal stage, fibrosis may occur throughout the lungs, which is accompanied by symptoms such as dyspnea or cyanosis.
Respiratory Clinic Director Jo Yoon-jae (Clinician Yoon Jeong-han) said, “After corona infection, there are cases where the inflammation does not subside and becomes chronic, like an autoimmune disease of the respiratory system. In this case, we need to be more careful because there is a concern that inflammation is repeatedly generated and may progress to fibroblasts in the process of recovery and regeneration.”
In addition, Cho said that compared to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, treatment for the type of pulmonary fibrosis caused by inflammation has been sufficiently developed to relieve inflammation.
Cheonmundong, maekmundong, and lily (recent research) for improving inflammation are good for encircling and improving inflammation. However, in tumor-type patients, it can cause anorexia, digestive disorders, weight loss, etc., so it is essential to see a specialist.
On the other hand, there is a type in which fibroblasts proliferate without an inflammatory phase. It is diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, meaning that the cause is unknown. It is known that the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is poor because the tissue proliferates without a cause.
For patients with fibroblast proliferative type, a different prescription should be applied to patients with inflammatory type. A treatment that prevents tissue growth with a prescription that increases immunity is a good fit.
Even for patients with pulmonary fibrosis that look the same, the characteristics of the disease vary depending on whether it is caused by inflammation or proliferation of fibroblasts, so diet and lifestyle should also be different for each patient.
Jeju Transportation Welfare Newspaper, TW News