Interstitial Lung Disease
What do you mean by Interstitial Lung Disease?
Interstitial Lung Disease is a group of lung diseases in which there is scarring of lung tissues between and supporting the air sacs. This may cause lung stiffness and greatly affect a person’s ability to breathe. As a result of this, one may not get sufficient oxygen into the bloodstream. Advanced disease may also affect heart and cause a condition called pulmonary hypertension and subsequent right heart failure.
What causes Interstitial Lung Disease?
Interstitial Lung Disease occurs when your lungs are injured and in response to this, abnormal healing takes place where the tissue surrounding the air sacs thickens and becomes scarred. Due to this, it becomes difficult for the oxygen to pass into the blood stream. There are many triggers for Interstitial Lung Disease, namely:
Occupational and environmental factors – Asbestos, silica dust, talc, coal dust, grain dust and bird proteins
Medications and radiation –Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Heart medications and some antibiotics
Medical conditions – Dermatomyositis, pulmonary vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus
What are the symptoms of Interstitial Lung Disease?
The main signs and symptoms of Interstitial Lung Disease are:
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
How can Interstitial Lung Disease be treated?
Interstitial Lung Disease is often progressive and irreversible. Early diagnosis is important to prevent significant damage to lungs and prevent as much as possible onset of respiratory failure.
Off late certain classes of drug has been available for the treatment of ILD which can prevent further progression of disease in selected patients.
It is important to visit a Pulmonologist if a person has non responsive dry cough or unexplained progressive breathlessness, especially if someone has underlying systemic disease like Rheumatoid arthritis or SLE or is exposed to occupational and environmental risk factors.
Early diagnosis and correct evaluation can save lives
For Appointment with Dr Sheetal Chaurasia Sr Consultant Pulmonologist Manipal Hospital Whitefield Bangalore