Interstitial lung disease is a term that refers to a group of conditions involving the interstitium of the lungs. It can be called ILD for short, and is sometimes referred to as that on this page. These diseases are different than obstructive lung diseases, such as bronchitis and asthma.

Symptoms

There are many different classifications of ILD based upon the underlying medical cause (some of which are mentioned in the next section). Symptoms may vary in one classification to the next, as well as in particular cases. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is one of the potential symptoms that can show up in a patient with interstitial lung disease.

Causes

Some of the classifications of ILD, as well as certain particular causes within some of those, are brought up here. Do keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. The condition can be brought on by inhaled substances, and may be known in ways such as asbestosis or silicosis. Connective tissue diseases can lead to it, including polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis. Infections, including tuberculosis, can cause ILD. One of the other possibilities is that it may be due to a malignancy.

Diagnosis

A professional in the medical arena is involved in the diagnosis of cases of interstitial lung disease. Methods used to try to diagnose the condition are different in particular cases, and may change based upon the signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient. Certain blood tests are particularly common, as is a CAT scan of the thorax, chest X-ray, and testing of the patient's pulmonary function. In certain cases where a diagnosis cannot be arrived at, and a malignant cause can not be ruled out, a lung biopsy might be performed.

Treatment

As interstitial lung disease actually includes a number of medical issues, there are many different treatment methods that may be employed. Please do not try to use anything here to attempt to choose an option for treatment, but let that selection be left up to a professional. In cases where exposure to certain substances led to the ILD, the person might be told to avoid situations where he might be exposed again. Some types are treated with medication. There are other possible treatment options.