This form of interstitial lung disease happens when the small airways and the tiny air sacs in the lungs become inflamed. The inflammation leads to difficulty with breathing and an illness that appears a lot like the flu. Despite the name of this illness, this condition is not caused by an infection. In most cases, all other causes of pneumonia have to be ruled out before making a diagnosis of COP.
The symptoms of this condition are:
Some patients also experience sleeplessness, pain in the joints, chest pain, or night sweats.
The cause of this condition is usually unknown. Current research indicates that there might be links between this condition and chemotherapy. Some people also seem to end up with COP after exposure to bird droppings or as a side effect of taking certain medications. Some patients develop COP during recovery from another lung infection.
The risk factors for developing this condition are:
In most cases, COP is not diagnosed until other causes of lung inflammation and infection have been ruled out. Doctors will use chest X-rays and lab tests like blood tests to help diagnose this condition. A lung biopsy might also be taken to make sure that the patient does not have lung cancer or other inflammatory lung conditions. Lung function tests are sometimes also used to make a diagnosis of COP.
This condition can usually be cleared up with corticosteroids such as prednisone. Mild cases might resolve on their own. Recurrence of this condition is common, so patients who have had Cryptogenic Organising Pneumonia (COP) need to be careful about their lung health in the future. Avoiding exposure to chemicals, animal droppings, dust, and other people who are sick with colds and flu can help prevent this condition or relapse after the initial bout with the illness.
For those who have primary health conditions that can lead to Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia (COP), it is a good idea to wear a mask when out in public and to avoid contaminants in the air. These patients should also be attentive to symptoms of coughing or changes in breathing, as this can indicate a relapse with COP.