restrictiveERS

Restrictive lung diseases are a group of conditions that limit the ability of the lungs to fully expand. This expansion impairment leads to a reduced lung volume, meaning the lungs cannot hold as much air as they should. Unlike obstructive lung diseases, where the primary issue is difficulty exhaling air due to airway narrowing, restrictive diseases involve problems with the lung tissue itself, the chest wall, or the muscles involved in breathing.

The causes of restrictive lung disease are diverse and can be broadly categorized. Intrinsic restrictive lung diseases affect the lung parenchyma (the functional tissue of the lungs). Examples include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and pneumoconiosis. Extrinsic restrictive lung diseases, on the other hand, arise from problems outside the lungs. This can include conditions affecting the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs), the chest wall (like scoliosis or obesity), or the respiratory muscles (such as muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis).

Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, particularly with exertion, a dry, non-productive cough, and fatigue. Diagnosis often involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to measure lung volumes and airflow, and imaging studies like chest X-rays or CT scans. Treatment strategies vary depending on the underlying cause and aim to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life. This may involve medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and in some cases, lung transplantation.