How does a Restrictive Lung Disease differ from an Obstructive Lung Disease such as Asthma, Emphysema, and Bronchitis?

Any respiratory disease or lung disorder that reduces ther amount of air that can be inhaled -because of loss of elasticity of the lung tissue or loss of respiratory tissue itself -can be classified as a restrictive lung disease.

In case of an obstructive lung disease (such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) it is either the narrowing or blockage of the airways that causes the air-flow to be decreased.

In case of a restrictive airway disease, however, it is the reduction in lung tissue elasticity (or a disease thereof) reduces the lung recoil (and therefore the lung volume) that causes the amount of air-intake/inhaled within the lungs.

What are the common causes for reduced lung capacity?

Reduction in total lung capacity (peak flow and vital capacity) could be caused by several contributing factors, including:

• Diminishing lung elasticity due to pleural scarring, tumors, etc.,
• Enchrochment of pleural space (due to pleural effusion, cancer tumors, etc.), and
• Inability to fully expand the chest wall while inhaling.

How widespread are Restrictive Lung Diseases?

• Intrinsic Lung Diseases

  Exposure to environmental pollutants (dust, organic solvents, pesticide aerosols, etc.) increases one's risk of developing intrinsic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (about 30 cases per 100,000), or sarcoidosis (about 20-40 cases per 100,000 persons.)

• Extrinsic Respiratory Disorders

  Kyphoscoliosis is a common extrinsic disorder. Mild deformities related to Kyphoscoliosis are found in 1 out of every 1000 persons, with severe deformity found in 1 out of every 10,000 persons.

Symptoms of Restrictive Lung Disease:

Depending upon the underlying disease, the symptoms may include the following:

• Symptoms of intrinsic respiratory diseases
  • Chest pain,
  • Dry cough,
  • Exertional dyspnea,
  • Hemoptysis (streaks of blood in sputum occurs), and
  • Wheezing (chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, lymphangitic carcinomatosis, and respiratory bronchiolitis.)
• Symptoms of extrinsic pulmonary disorders
  • Airway disease,
  • Exertional dyspnea,
  • Lack of ventilatory control, and
  • Muscle weakness.
• Neuromuscular diseases
  • Dyspnea,
  • Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections,
  • Pulmonary hypertension, and
  • Respiratory muscle weakness.

Treatment for Restrictive Lung Disease:

Depending upon the type of underlying disease, the treatment may include any of the following: Corticosteroids, Cytotoxic therapy, Antifibrotic therapy, Immunosuppressive agents, Supplemental oxygen therapy, Mechanical ventilation, and/or Invasive ventilation.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Restrictive Airway Disease Diagnosis and Treatment News and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Restrictive Airway Disease Diagnosis and Treatment related Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.