"Honeycombing "or Honeycomb lung is an appearance of the lungs seen with widespread fibrosis and the presence of small cystic spaces that are composed of fibrous tissues.

Cystic airspaces produced by respiratory bronchioles give honeycomb appearance on a chest x-ray.

The characteristic appearance of different sized cysts in the background or densely scarred lung tissue is known as honeycomb.

Honeycomb cysts are shown in the majority at pleural lung or Subpleural lung regions. If deeply observe by microscope enlarged airspaces surrounded by fibrosis with hyperplasic and bronchiolar type epithelium are present.

Subpleural honeycomb cysts take place in several contiguous layers in the lungs.

Subpleural honeycombing takes place in the end-stage of interstitial lung diseases.

These changes are seen in numerous end-stage interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and are nonspecific.

Lung Disease

What is Interstitial Lung Diseases?

Interstitial lung disease relates to a large group of disorders, these infections can cause progressive scarring of lung tissue. The scarring related to interstitial lung disease mostly affects our ability to breathe.

This disease can hinder your body from getting enough oxygen and can lead to failure of the respiratory system, failure of heart and other complications in the body.

Patients with honeycombing on the chest CT (computed tomography) had higher mortality rates than patients who are not diagnosed with honeycombing in interstitial lung disease.

In interstitial lung disease, the repair process amiss and the tissue around the alveoli (air sacs) becomes thickened and scarred.

The scarring associated with interstitial lung disease can be due to many factors.

Long term exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos. Some types of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can also be the reason behind interstitial lung disease.

Some Other Causes of Interstitial Lung Disease

Environment

Many factors related to the environment leads to vitiation of the lungs. E.g. smoking of cigarette that contains the chemicals that can hurt the lungs and lead to this disease of interstitial lung disease.

Other factors like Radiations, silica dust, the dust of grains, smoke from chimneys, etc are also harmful to this disease.

Infections

Bacteria and Viruses like herpes virus, hepatitis C, and adenovirus.

Genes: Interstitial lung disease can also attack you if you have a family history of this disease and it is in your genes then you can be a sure bet to get into the net of this disease.

Medications

Some of the medications are also responsible for the condition of interstitial lung disease.

Drugs for Cardiac Problem

Drugs for the treatment of irregular heartbeats like propranolol and amiodarone are also dangerous for the lungs.

Chemotherapy Drugs

Cyclophosphamide and methotrexate are the drugs that can also damage the tissue of the lungs.

Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs like rituximab or sulfasalazine can also harm lung tissue.

Antibiotics

Ethambutol and Nitrofurantoin are the antibiotics that can also be the reason behind interstitial lung disease.

Risk Factors That Lead You to This Disease Are As Follows:

Smoking

People who are chain smokers or having a past history of smoking are more likely to develop the condition of Interstitial lung disease.

  • Treatments of radiation to your chest can also be the reason for Interstitial lung disease.
  • Adults and senior citizens are more likely to get this disease rather than infants and kids.

Complications

Take this Disease Lightly As It, May Lead to Serious Life-Threatening Complications

Right-Sided Heart Failure

Right ventricle (lower right chamber of the heart) which is less muscular than the left chamber of the heart.

Respiratory Failure

End-stage of interstitial lung disease in chronic level, respiration failure takes place along with elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries and the ventricle cause heart failure.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Arteries in your lungs get affected by this condition (Pulmonary hypertension).The reason may be the restriction of low oxygen level in the smallest blood vessels that hinders the blood flow in our lungs.

The scarring of lungs that occurs in interstitial lung disease can't be erased, and permanent treatment (other than traditional methods) will not always be successful in controlling the ultimate progression of the disease. Some treatments may help in improving the problem temporarily, but permanent treatment is not sure in this case, these treatments or drugs can help in improving the quality of life.

Ayurveda and Interstitial Lung Diseases

According to Ayurveda the three doshas Vata, Pitta, Kaph when it gets imbalanced and leads to the formation of "Ama" (toxins)in the body. Kapha and Vatta when it gets aggravated it leads to creating a problem for bronchitis.

There are some of the Ayurvedic Herbs That Help in Treating the Problem of Interstitial Lung Diseases

1.Tumeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric contains antibiotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in it, curcumin the active ingredient found in turmeric has miraculous properties that can eliminate many respiratory problems.

All these properties of turmeric ( curcumin) make it a very helpful herb to fight with many ailments of lung diseases as well as many other infections in the body.

2.Tulsi (Basil Leaves)

Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral, Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory properties of basil leaves help in treating the condition of interstitial lung diseases.

3.Neem (Azadirachta Indica)

Neem helps in detoxifying the body and helps to flush away the toxins from the body that makes it a great immune booster, it is also a great boon for healthy respiratory system and supports clear breathing.

4.Shirish(Albizia Lebbeck)

Possessed with properties like anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the body makes it the best bet to treat honeycombing and its powerful properties to clear chronic congestion in Nasya (nasal administration of shirish plant extracts).

Ayurveda which is a pioneer in the field of Ayurveda provides some of the best Herbal Remedies to Treat Interstitial Lung Disease are as follows:

1.Praanrakshak Churna

This Herbal Remedy Contains

  • Shirish (Albizia lebbeck)
  • Vaasa (Adhatoda vasica)
  • Anantmool(Typhora astmatica)
  • Dalchini (Cinnsmomum serratum)
  • Kantkari(Solanum xanthocarpum)
  • Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

All these ingredients are best for all the respiratory problems of the body.

Dosage: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls thrice a day with plain water after meals.

2.Curcumin Capsule

Curcumin Capsules Anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties of Curcuma longa helps in boosting immunity and it proves to be a powerful safeguard for the honeycombing and diseases related to bronchitis.

Dosage: 2 Capsules twice a day.

3.Vasaka Capsules

To get rid of mucus formation extract of Adhatoda vasica herb is used in these Vasaka Capsules and easy breathing is also getting possible by clearing unnecessary mucus from the lungs.

Dosage: 2 Capsules twice a day.

Conclusion

In this article, we try to give all the necessary information regarding Honeycombing and herbal remedies to treat this problem.

Author's Bio: 

I champion initiatives that build a culture supporting Diversity and Inclusion and teamwork. My background is in Online Advertising and made the switch to the fascinating Localization Industry in 2018, where I hear, one never leaves.