What is restrictive lung disease?

Restrictive lung disease, a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs are able to hold, is often due to a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs themselves or caused by a problem related to the expansion of the chest wall during inhalation. Examples of restrictive lung diseases include asbestosis, sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of restrictive lung disease include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic testing for lung disease may include any of the following:

• Pulmonary function tests

• Chest X-ray

• CT scans

• Bronchoscopy

• Pulse oximetry

Treatment

As with diagnostic testing, treatment of lung disease depends on many factors, such as the type and stage of disease, family history, patient’s medical history and the health and age of the patient. Any of the following may be used for treating lung disease:

• Inhalers

• Expectorants

• Antibiotics

• Oxygen therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Lung transplantation