Organizing pneumonia is a type of interstitial lung disease where inflammation damages the air sac walls, which can lead to difficulty breathing and flu-like symptoms.
It’s only diagnosed when infectious causes of pneumonia have been eliminated and the pneumonia has gone unresolved. The condition can sometimes be the result of a secondary reaction to an infection for people with altered immune systems, such as those with autoimmune diseases or different forms of blood cancer or transplant recipients. When a main cause cannot be found, the disease is called cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.
This inflammation can be reversible so it’s important to work with a team of interstitial lung disease experts, like the ones at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. While organizing pneumonia typically responds very well to steroid therapy, recurrence of the disease is common. Treatment of severe cases with shortness of breath and low oxygen levels should begin promptly to prevent severe lung damage.
Our expertise in organizing pneumonia and other lung issues will allow you to receive the comprehensive and personalized care you need.
What causes organizing pneumonia?
The condition is called cryptogenic if we don’t know what causes it.
However, we do know a few risk factors. Those include:
- Age – People older than 50 are much more likely to develop the disease than younger people.
- Inflammatory diseases – If you have a condition like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma, you’re at greater risk for OP.
- Certain medications
- Exposure to certain chemicals or radiation therapy
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia symptoms
Symptoms can vary between people with the condition, but they often mimic those of the flu.
Common symptoms of the condition include:
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
Symptoms can progressively get worse if the condition isn’t treated. People with severe cases of organizing pneumonia may also experience chest pains and night sweats.
Diagnosing organizing pneumonia
Organizing pneumonia is typically diagnosed only when many other diseases or causes of symptoms have been ruled out.
Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics – and if those don’t help, it’s likely you could have organizing pneumonia. A number of tests can also aid in making this determination, including:
- Blood tests
- Bronchoscopy
- Cultures
- Lung function tests
- Chest X-rays and CT scans
- Lung biopsy
Organizing pneumonia treatment
Inflammatory damage done to the lungs by organizing is typically reversible. Some milder occurrences might go away on their own, but it’s still important to be monitored by your doctor in case symptoms worsen. Most cases will need to be treated with several weeks or months of corticosteroids.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions on taking medications since organizing pneumonia can return if corticosteroids aren’t taken for a long enough period of time.
Our interstitial lung disease program staff are dedicated to caring for and treating people with these types of pulmonary conditions. Our collaborative approach and expertise will get you back on your feet enjoying life.