Learn About Interstitial Lung Disease

What is the definition of Interstitial Lung Disease?

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders in which the lung tissues become inflamed and then damaged.

What are the alternative names for Interstitial Lung Disease?

Diffuse parenchymal lung disease; Alveolitis; Idiopathic pulmonary pneumonitis (IPP)

What are the causes of Interstitial Lung Disease?

The lungs contain tiny air sacs (alveoli), which is where oxygen is absorbed. These air sacs expand with each breath.

The tissue around these air sacs is called the interstitium. In people with interstitial lung disease, this tissue becomes inflamed, stiff, or scarred, and the air sacs are not able to expand as much. As a result, not as much oxygen can get to the body.

ILD can occur without a known cause. This is called idiopathic ILD. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common disease of this type.

There are also dozens of known causes of ILD, including:

  • Autoimmune diseases (in which the immune system attacks the body) such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and scleroderma.
  • Lung inflammation due to breathing in a foreign substance such as certain types of dust, fungus, or mold (hypersensitivity pneumonitis).
  • Medicines (such as nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides, bleomycin, amiodarone, methotrexate, gold, infliximab, etanercept, and other chemotherapy medicines).
  • Radiation treatment to the chest.
  • Working with or around asbestos, coal dust, cotton dust, and silica dust (called occupational lung disease).
  • Infection and partial recovery from diseases like COVID-19.

Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of developing some forms of ILD and may cause the disease to be more severe.

What are the symptoms of Interstitial Lung Disease?

Shortness of breath is a main symptom of ILD. You may breathe faster or need to take deep breaths:

  • At first, shortness of breath may not be severe and is only noticed with exercise, climbing stairs, and other activities.
  • Over time, it can occur with less strenuous activity such as bathing or dressing, and as the disease worsens, even with eating or talking.

Most people with this condition also have a dry cough. A dry cough means you do not cough up any mucus or sputum.

Over time, weight loss, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain are also present.

People with more advanced ILD may have:

  • Abnormal enlargement and curving of the base of the fingernails (clubbing).
  • Blue color of the lips, skin, or fingernails due to low blood oxygen levels (cyanosis).
  • Symptoms of the other diseases such as arthritis or trouble swallowing (scleroderma), associated with ILD.
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What are the current treatments for Interstitial Lung Disease?

Treatment depends on the cause and duration of the disease. Medicines that suppress the immune system and reduce swelling in the lungs are prescribed if an autoimmune disease is causing the problem. For some people who have IPF or certain other autoimmune diseases, pirfenidone and nintedanib are two medicines that may be used to slow worsening of the disease. If there is no specific treatment for the condition, the aim is to make you more comfortable and support lung function:

  • If you smoke, ask your provider about how to stop smoking.
  • People with low blood oxygen levels will receive oxygen therapy in their home. A respiratory therapist will help you set up the oxygen. Families need to learn proper oxygen storage and safety.

Lung rehabilitation can provide support, and help you learn:

  • Different breathing methods
  • How to set up your home to save energy
  • How to eat enough calories and nutrients
  • How to stay active and strong

Some people with advanced ILD may need a lung transplant.

Who are the top Interstitial Lung Disease Local Doctors?
Pulmonary Medicine | Intensive Care Medicine
Pulmonary Medicine | Intensive Care Medicine

Cleveland Clinic

18901 Lake Shore Blvd, 
Euclid, OH 
 4.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

Ronald Burwinkel is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Euclid, Ohio. Dr. Burwinkel and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Lung Metastases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia, and Interstitial Lung Disease. Dr. Burwinkel is currently accepting new patients.

Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonary Medicine

University Hospitals Medical Group Inc

36000 Euclid Ave, 
Willoughby, OH 
 1.7 mi
Accepting New Patients

Russell Blair is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Willoughby, Ohio. Dr. Blair and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Lung Metastases, Pneumonia, Pleural Effusion, and Advanced Bronchoscopy. Dr. Blair is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

Willoughby Hills Fam Hlth Ctr

2550 And 2570 SOM Center Road, 
Willoughby Hills, OH 
 3.8 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Lawrence Hughes is an Internal Medicine provider in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. Dr. Hughes and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, and Anemia. Dr. Hughes is currently accepting new patients.

What are the support groups for Interstitial Lung Disease?

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Interstitial Lung Disease?

The chance of recovering or ILD getting worse depends on the cause and how severe the disease was when it was first diagnosed.

Some people with ILD develop heart failure and high blood pressure in the blood vessels of their lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has a poor outlook.

When should I contact a medical professional for Interstitial Lung Disease?

Contact your provider if:

  • Your breathing is getting harder, faster, or more shallow than before
  • You cannot get a deep breath, or need to lean forward when sitting
  • You are having headaches more often
  • You feel sleepy or confused
  • You have a fever
  • You are coughing up dark mucus
  • Your fingertips or the skin around your fingernails is blue
What are the latest Interstitial Lung Disease Clinical Trials?
A Two-Cohort, Phase II, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Vixarelimab Compared With Placebo in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Summary: The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of vixarelimab compared with placebo on lung function in participants with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and in participants with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Participants who complete 52-weeks of treatment in the Double-blind Treatment (DBT) period can choose to enroll in the optional Open-label ...

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The Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Exercise Tolerance in Patients With Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease

Summary: Exercise training as part of a structured pulmonary rehabilitation program is a key factor in improving quality of life and symptoms in people with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Optimal methods of exercise training are yet to be explored in ILD. Drinking beetroot juice, which is rich in nitrate, has been shown to improve exercise performance in a variety of groups, but its effects in ILD have n...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: November 25, 2023
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Corte TJ, Wells AU. Connective tissue diseases. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 92.

Graney BA, Lee JS, King TE. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 90.

Raghu G, Martinez FJ. Interstitial lung disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 80.