A process by which a nonspecific immune response occurs in reaction to any type of pathological condition of the body. In this case, the inflammatory disease process occurs in the lung. This process usually presents a group of measurable clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings, which distinguishes the condition as abnormal.

Inflammatory diseases of the lung can be caused by infections from viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Other causes of inflammatory lung disease include: smoking; allergies (foods, drugs, and environmental); chronic lung or airway disease (see Diagnostic Code: 6604 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); obstruction, such as foreign objects, tumors, or asthma (see Diagnostic Code: 6602 Asthma, bronchial); bronchiectasis (see Diagnostic Code: 6601 Bronchiectasis); atelectasis; chest deformities; neurologic conditions; general anesthesia; ischemia, such as from pulmonary embolism (see Diagnostic Code: 6817 Pulmonary vascular disease); trauma; ionizing radiation; and extremes of temperature.

Environmental causes of inflammatory lung diseases include: various kinds of dust; fumes from strong acids; ammonia; certain organic solvents; chlorine; hydrogen sulfide; sulfur dioxide; bromine; air pollution irritants (ozone and nitrogen dioxide); and tobacco and other smoke (see Analogous Diagnostic Code: 6699-6600 Gas, inhalation, res).

Signs and symptoms may include: coughing with or without hemoptysis; symptoms of infection, such as fever and increased heart rate; wheezing; shortness of breath; loss of appetite; nausea; hypoxia; chest pain; and blood pressure changes.

Chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, sputum culture and sensitivity, blood gas studies, bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, pulmonary function tests, allergy testing, or biopsy may be done to confirm a diagnosis.

Treatment schedules that may be indicated include: antibiotics for bacterial infections, fever-reducing medication, anti-inflammatories, bronchodialators, pulmonary therapy, oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, bed rest and increased fluid intake, and surgery for certain conditions.

There is potential for hypersensitivity reactions to the inflammatory response that can result in scar tissue, or conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (see Diagnostic Code: 5002 Arthritis rheumatoid (atrophic) as an active process). Pneumonia (see Analogous Diagnostic Code: 6899-6845 Pneumonia) may develop. Severe conditions can lead to heart failure. Long-term use of oxygen may be necessary. There is risk of developing lung cancer (see Diagnostic Code: 6819 Neoplasms, malignant, respiratory system, any specified part of the respiratory system exclusive of skin growths [lung]) with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (see Diagnostic Code: 6604 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Certain diseases may become chronic, and recurring conditions can result in irreversible lung tissue damage. Severe inflammatory lung disease can weaken the heart.

None.