Question 1

what is a hardening of the lung?

Accepted Answer

It depends: I would assume that you are referring to fibrosis (pulmonary fibrosis) of the lung resulting from an accumulation of fibrous connective tissue.  This may be the result of schleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis or environmental exposures.  You would need need to see a pulmonologist for evaluation and treatment.

Question 2

what is pulmonary fibrosis? and how is it described from an x-ray ? i was told i have hardening of the lung does this mean i have it?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary fibrosis: Pulmonary fibrosis is a pattern seen on ct scanning of the lung.  There are several things that can cause fibrosis such as smoking, exposure to asbestos, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and certain medicines.  Some of these diseases can be treated while others are progressive and fatal.  Fibrotic lung diseases cause a restrictive physiology that could be described as hardening.

Question 3

what does hardening of the lungs mean, and is there treatment for it?

Accepted Answer

Hardening of the: LUNGS is a colloquial term to describe pulmonary fibrosis--thickening, stiffening and scarring of lung tissue. As lung tissue stiffens, the lungs can't properly  move oxygen into your bloodstream. Currently there is no cure and no medicines proven to slow the progression though steroids and anti-immune therapies have been tried. Oxygen used. Some receive lung transplants. It is super serious.

Question 4

what does hardening of the lungs mean

Accepted Answer

Interstitial disease: Hardening is a vague term. Perhaps its referring to interstitial disease? Basically, imagine your lungs are like a soft squishy sponge. When there's a disease process that damages the lung, it becomes hard and stiff (like a dry sponge).

Question 5

if my doctor saw i have hardening of the lungs does this mean i have cancer ?

Accepted Answer

Don't think so.: Your doc should really use better descriptive terms or a picture or an analogy.  I am not sure what they mean.  This is not a term we typically use.  Could mean that your lungs are stiff or maybe that you have some calcification of the lining or maybe even in the body of the lung. Not sure.  You should ask your doc for something you can understand.

Question 6

what causes fluid in the lung?

Accepted Answer

Several: Fluid in the lungs could mean pulmonary edema (swelling of lung) which can be caused by heart failure (multiple causes of this), infection, mitral valve disease, kidney failure, inflammation. Fluid surrounding lungs (pleural effusion) trauma, infection, heart failure, cancer, kidney failure. There are more. It's best to talk with your doctor for specifics.

Question 7

why can't the lung regenerate?

Accepted Answer

Lung: The only organs in the body that can regenerate are blood and skin. There are some organs parts of which can regenerate. Examples include lung, intestine ; liver. The cells lining the bronchi and the alveoli of lungs can regenerate. Alveoli are the tiny bubbles at the end of the bronchioles that participate in gas exchange. There are some organs such as brain and spinal cord which never regenerate.

Question 8

what happens to the lung if it is grazed by a bullet?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It usually bleeds somewhat.  Some times it may collapse and need to be re-expanded.  Other times the bullet cauterizes the lung tissue and it stays inflated.  There is commonly some associated blast injury (bruising) that has to be recovered from.

Question 9

fibrotic lesions of the lung?

Accepted Answer

Usually benign: But there the rare scar carcinoma.

Question 10

what is atelectasis of the lung?

Accepted Answer

Collapse: This a term means parts of the lung are under-inflated or collapsed. It is like a balloon with the air let out. It can involve  small amounts of the lung or large portions of the lung. The more lung involved the bigger the problem. Causes range from the trivial ( mild atelectasis seen with bed rest) to the serious ( complete atelectasis of a whole lung from a tumor in the airway. ) lots in between.

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Doctor answers about:

Hardening of the lung

A member asked:

What is a hardening of the lung?

A member asked:

What is pulmonary fibrosis? and how is it described from an x-ray ? i was told i have hardening of the lung does this mean i have it?

A member asked:

What does hardening of the lungs mean, and is there treatment for it?

A member asked:

What does hardening of the lungs mean

A member asked:

If my doctor saw i have hardening of the lungs does this mean i have cancer ?

A member asked:

What causes fluid in the lung?

A member asked:

Why can't the lung regenerate?

A member asked:

What happens to the lung if it is grazed by a bullet?

A member asked:

Fibrotic lesions of the lung?

A member asked:

What is atelectasis of the lung?

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