Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders that affects the interstitium of the lungs. Interstitium refers to those tissues that surround the alveoli or tiny air sacs of the lungs. Interstitial lung disease causes scarring and inflammation of these lung tissues, thus disturbing the overall function of the lungs. Usually, it affects all the tissues. Inflammation of the lung tissue hampers the breathing ability and oxygen exchange in the bloodstream. Let's take a look at the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung tissue.

Interstitial Lung Disease: Causes and Symptoms

Scarring of the lung tissue is caused due to injury and abnormal healing responses of the body. Various factors may trigger the inflammation of the interstitium. To mention a few, some of the factors include prolonged exposure to environmental pollutants, allergies, infections by microorganisms (bacteria, virus and fungi), exposure to radiation (radiation therapy), side effects of strong medications and other underlying diseases.

Many a times, interstitial lung disease is caused due to unknown reasons, which is a type of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. People who smoke or those having a family history of ILD are more susceptible to idiopathic type. One of the most common types of ILD is usual interstitial pneumonitis that affects only a portion of the lung tissue. In spite of the name, it is not caused due to infection. Women who are above 50 years are at a higher risk of developing interstitial pneumonitis than others.

The most common symptoms of interstitial lung disease are difficulty in breathing , shortness of breath or breathlessness during physical activities and prolonged dry cough. Though these symptoms are similar to many health conditions like aging process, obesity and upper respiratory infection, patients tend to ignore the symptoms. Hence, early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease is difficult.

As the damage of the lung tissue progresses, the symptoms may worsen. In such a condition, patients may feel breathlessness without exertion; during rest or while doing routine activities. Other less noticeable signs of ILD include wheezing, chest pain and finger clubbing. In most cases, interstitial lung disease develops gradually. However, at times, people suffer from sudden onset of the symptoms of ILD.

Interstitial Lung Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

Interstitial lung disease is diagnosed based on the symptoms and physical examination of the patient. For confirmation, the doctor may conduct chest x-ray, lung function test, blood test and computed tomography (CT) of the thorax. In case, the results of these laboratory tests are unclear, the doctor may conduct biopsy of the lung tissues in order to rule out other medical problems.

If scarring of the interstitium occurs, it cannot be cured. Hence, once a patient develops interstitial lung disease, he/she cannot regain the normal metabolic activity of the lungs. The main objective for treatment of interstitial lung disease is to manage the symptoms and slow down the damage of lung tissues. Treatment usually differs from one patient to another and is based on the particular symptoms manifested by the patient.

Based on the symptoms, the physician may prescribe corticosteroids, oxygen supplementation and other vaccinations. In severe cases, the physician may conduct lung transplantation. In case of any symptoms of interstitial lung disease, it is always advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible, so as to avoid further complications.