Pneumonitis is, by definition, inflammation of lung tissue. It can be caused by many things – inhalation of smoke or fumes, allergies, or getting stomach acid in the lungs from choking or vomiting. Acid reflux can be a culprit during sleep. Once the lungs are irritated or damaged, pneumonia can set in, sometimes with fatal results. Pneumonitis has crept up the list of top 15 causes of U.S. fatalities, recently surpassing homicide. This is due primarily to more people living past seventy-five.
Signs and Symptoms: Sudden onset of choking, wheezing, coughing, and chest pain are all common symptoms. There is usually no fever unless infection sets in.
What to do: Treat shortness of breath as a medical emergency. Otherwise, address underlying causes. Treat reflux. Avoid exposure, or use approved respirators on the job. Stop smoking. Anti-inflammatory medications such as steroid injections or inhalers help lung tissue recover. If fever or productive cough develop, antibiotics may be necessary. Prevention is worth it in the long run.
Thought for the day: Treat the underlying issue and avoid inflammation in your lung tissue.
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