Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a term that covers a large group of medical conditions in which scarring of the lungs leads to long-term breathing problems.
The pair of organs in the chest responsible for breathing.
The lungs are sponge-like organs, containing branching airways and millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. The walls of the alveoli are made up of delicate connective tissue that allows oxygen to travel from air breathed into the lungs into the blood vessels, so it can be transported around the body.
In interstitial lung disease, the tissues of the lungs become scarred and damaged (a state known as fibrosis). It may be due to an abnormal healing response in the lungs.
The scarring reduces the ability of your lungs to expand to take in air and to transport oxygen into the bloodstream. As more of the lung tissue is affected, it becomes more difficult for the body to get the oxygen it needs.
When the cause of the scarring is not known, it is known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is the most common form of ILD in older people.
There are also many other causes of ILD. These can include:
An environmental substance that, although not harmful in itself, elicits a vigorous reaction from the immune system.
The flow of blood within the blood vessels of the circulatory system.
A disorder of the immune system in which excess Langerhans cells (immune cells that display antigens on the cell surface) are produced.
A virus of the herpes family that causes mononucleosis, also known as mono or glandular fever. It is also implicated in some other medical conditions.
Without a known cause.
The pair of organs in the chest responsible for breathing.
An inherited condition in which neurofibromas (benign tumors) form from the layer that encloses nerve fibers (sometimes called nerve fiber sheaths).
A respiratory disease in which scar tissue forms in the lung tissues, sometimes as a result of other lung diseases.
Energy that is emitted, such as heat, light, or energy in electromagnetic waves. Different types of radiation can be used to diagnose and treat disease.
An inflammatory condition that can affect the organs of the body, particularly the lungs, skin, liver and eyes.
A rare condition in which excess collagen fibers are produced by the body, affecting the skin and internal organs.
A tiny single cell that is able to grow into an organism. Spores are produced by some plants and microorganisms, such as fungi.
A rare genetic disease that causes tumors to grow in the brain and other organs and causes a combination of symptoms that may include seizures, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, and kidney disease.
A lung disease that causes abnormal growth of the lung tissue, which can lead to breathing problems.
Factors that can increase the risk of developing interstitial lung disease include:
The two main symptoms of interstitial lung disease are:
Chest pain or wheezing are uncommon symptoms, but can occur with some types of ILD.
Symptoms of ILD tend to develop gradually, and early on they may be mistaken for just getting older, or being out of shape. If you suspect you have problems with your lungs or breathing, it is important that you have it checked out, since early treatment can help to slow down the damage to the lungs caused by ILD.
The pair of organs in the chest responsible for breathing.
Breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.
Diagnosing interstitial lung disease is not always straightforward because:
It is important for your doctor to identify the condition causing the symptoms because treatments and prognosis can vary. For this reason, your doctor may need to ask you questions about your medical history and your life to help identify what could be causing your symptoms.
To assess how ILD affects your breathing, your doctor will generally recommend tests to measure lung function, which can include:
Other tests that may be used to help diagnose ILD include:
During a blood test, blood can be drawn using a needle or by a finger prick. Your blood can then be analyzed to help diagnose and monitor a wide range of health conditions.
The flow of blood within the blood vessels of the circulatory system.
A scan that uses X-rays to create a 3D image of the body. This can detect abnormalities more effectively than a simple X-ray can.
An anesthetic given to a person to put them to sleep while having an operation or medical procedure. Afterwards, the person regains consciousness and usually has no memory of the procedure. A general anesthetic is given in hospital by a specialist called an anesthetist.
The pair of organs in the chest responsible for breathing.
A scan that uses ionizing radiation beams to create an image of the body’s internal structures.
Your doctor may recommend:
Unfortunately, once lung tissue has been damaged, there is no current treatment that can restore it. Treatments for ILD vary, depending on the cause, and aim to:
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a type of therapy specifically designed for people with chronic lung conditions who suffer from short breath. A health professional - usually a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or nurse - will teach you exercises and techniques to help you learn how to maximize your quality of life.
Pulmonary rehabilitation includes:
Smoking not only increases the risk of developing ILD, but can also make your symptoms worse, and cause the condition to progress more quickly.
If you smoke, your doctor can advise you on treatments and options to help you quit smoking. It is also important to avoid other people's second-hand smoke.
Medications may be recommended to try to help reduce the inflammation and the healing responses that damage the lung.
Medications include:
These medications have varying rates of success, depending on the type of ILD, but can also have significant side effects. In some cases, particularly if symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend not using medications and instead simply monitoring your condition.
There is much ongoing research into finding new, more effective medications for ILD. Your doctor may discuss with you whether participating in a clinical trial of one of these medications might be appropriate for you.
If your blood oxygen levels are lower than normal, oxygen therapy can help to reduce breathlessness and the effects on the body.
Oxygen therapy can reduce breathlessness caused by interstitial lung disease.
For cases of ILD that cannot be managed by other methods, a lung transplant may be recommended, particularly for young people.
An environmental substance that, although not harmful in itself, elicits a vigorous reaction from the immune system.
A medication that resembles the cortisol hormone produced in the brain. It is used as an anti-inflammatory medication.
A body’s protective immune response to injury or infection. The accumulation of fluid, cells and proteins at the site of an infection or physical injury, resulting in swelling, heat, redness, pain and loss of function.
The pair of organs in the chest responsible for breathing.
The transfer of an organ or tissue from one body to another, or from one part of the body to another, for therapeutic purposes.
A healthcare professional trained to assess and address factors that affect participation and performance during exercise and sport.
People with interstitial lung disease can be more vulnerable to respiratory infections and developing pneumonia. Vaccination for pneumonia and flu is an important preventative measure that can help you stay well.
Living with a chronic lung condition can be challenging; people with ILD can be at increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Support groups, counselling or medication may help. If these issues are affecting you, talk to your doctor.
Pulmonary hypertension occurs when damage to the small blood vessels of the lungs leads to an increase of pressure in the pulmonary artery (the main artery supplying the lungs with blood).
It is a serious condition that can place strain on the right ventricle of the heart and eventually lead to failure of the heart muscle (a type of heart failure). This may require treatment with medication, oxygen therapy or surgery, and can eventually lead to complete respiratory failure and death.
ILD can, in some cases, lead to lung cancer.
A feeling of tension, nervousness and dread about future events. It can trigger physical symptoms such as a rapid pulse or breathing difficulties.
The pair of organs in the chest responsible for breathing.
1. The two main heart chambers that eject blood back out of the heart. 2. A series of connecting cavities in the brain that contain the cerebrospinal fluid, which supports and protects the brain.
The artery that travels between the heart and the lungs.
Once lung tissue is damaged by interstitial lung disease, the damage cannot be reversed, although treatments can help to manage symptoms and, in some cases, slow the progress of the condition.
Different forms of ILD progress at different rates and some respond to treatment better than others.
Steps that may help to prevent some cases of interstitial lung disease include: