Inflammation and thickening of the walls of the alveoli in the lungs (see alveolus, pulmonary) that results in scarring of lung tissue (see interstitial pulmonary fibrosis). Fibrosing alveolitis most commonly occurs in people over 60 and is more common in men.
In some cases, fibrosing alveolitis is due to an autoimmune disorder and may be associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erethematosus. Other possible causes include radiotherapy of the organs in the chest and anticancer drug treatment. In many cases, however, the cause is unknown, and the condition is then known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Symptoms of fibrosing alveolitis include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, and joint pains.
Treatment of the condition involves corticosteroid drugs combined with other immunosuppressant drugs to slow the progress of lung damage.
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