The interstitium is the tissue surrounding the lung's air sacs, or alveoli. In interstitial pneumonia, those tissues are inflamed and eventually become scarred or stiff, impeding the normal expansion of the alveoli. There are two groups of interstitial pneumonia: those with a known cause such as infection or medications, and those without a known cause called idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, according to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Interstitial pneumonia symptoms can be serious and require medical attention.
Breathing Difficulties
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is one of the most common symptoms of interstitial pneumonia. In a 2008 article published in the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine," Dr. William Travis and colleagues note that 96 percent of patients with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia had dyspnea. Some experience the symptom as a feeling of breathlessness, or labored breathing, a symptom called "air hunger." Patients often notice this during physical activity, including climbing stairs or performing exercise.
Some sufferers may find themselves breathing faster than normal, a condition known as tachypnea. They might have to take deeper breaths to satisfy their perceived need for air in the lungs. Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia may cause bronchospasm or respiratory distress symptoms in children. Brochospasm involves contraction of the muscles of the bronchi, which narrows and restricts the airway, and impedes breathing.
Cough
A dry cough, with no appearance of mucus, is another common symptom of interstitial pneumonia. Travis notes that 87 percent of patients experienced cough symptoms. As with shortness of breath, people often experience cough symptoms during physical exertion.
Chest Symptoms
Interstitial pneumonia may result in a reduced ability to fully expand the chest. Patients may experience crackling or rattling in the chest as they breathe in, as another symptom of the condition.
Weight Loss
As the disease progresses, symptoms may include weight loss, fatigue and pain in the muscles and joints, notes MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health.
Clubbing and Cyanosis
Symptoms occurring during advanced stages of interstitial pneumonia include clubbing of the fingers or toes and cyanosis--skin discoloration due to lack of oxygen. Clubbing involves the appearance of thickened flesh under the nails, or unusual growth of the base of the nails, with the nails curving downward at the ends of the fingers or toes. With cyanosis, the skin, fingernails or lips may become blue as the level of oxygen in the blood drops.
References
- MedlinePlus: Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Lymphoid Interstitial Pneumonia
- "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine"; Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia; William D. Travis, M.D., et al., June 2008
- "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine"; American Thoracic Society Consensus Classification; William D. Travis, M.D., et al., January 2002
