Your lung's major airways--bronchi--divide into smaller airways called bronchioles that end in clusters of air sacs called alveoli. If the walls of the alveoli become inflamed, the tissue that lines and supports the alveoli, called the interstitium, becomes increasingly scarred. Rather than expanding and contracting like small balloons as they normally do, the alveoli become less soft and elastic. They become stiffer, which makes it more difficult for you to breathe. They also become thicker, which makes it harder for the oxygen you inhale to enter your bloodstream through the thickened walls in your lungs. Usually, patients with lung scarring take traditional medications to reduce inflammation and/or suppress their immune systems and eventually proceed to a lung transplant if possible. But, there are also alternative ways to slow down the process of lung scarring.
Oxygen Therapy
Because lung scarring gradually reduces the amount of oxygen that enters your bloodstream, you can benefit from taking oxygen treatments through a mask or nasal prongs. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that extra oxygen can help reduce the shortness of breath that you experience, while allowing you to live a more active lifestyle than you could without it.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
The goal of pulmonary rehabilitation, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is to teach people with lung scarring how to manage their condition and function at their best. A team of specialists provides services such as breathing exercises that help you learn to use less energy to breathe; physical conditioning; nutritional counseling; management for anxiety, stress and depression; and support groups.
Lifestyle Changes
Making certain changes to your lifestyle can help you be involved in your own treatment and stay as healthy as possible, the Mayo Clinic says. Some of the changes recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to slow the process of lung scarring include the following: quitting smoking if you do smoke and avoiding secondhand smoke from others; exercising moderately whenever possible, such as by walking or riding a stationary bike; eating a healthy diet that's low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar but that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and fat-free or low-fat milk or dairy products; eating small, frequent meals to reduce stomach fullness so it's easier to breathe; getting plenty of rest; maintaining a positive attitude; practicing relaxation techniques; and avoiding situations that can worsen your condition (such as traveling by air or living at or visiting high altitudes where the air is thin).
