Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a broad term for a group of hundreds of lung diseases that cause lung inflammation, damage and, ultimately, pulmonary fibrosis, or scarring of the lungs.
The scarring in the lungs causes stiffness and inhibits oxygen flow, making it difficult to breathe. ILD gets worse as time goes by and the scarring cannot be reversed, but treatments can help slow the disease’s progression.
Because there are so many types of ILD and diseases under the ILD umbrella, it is very important to get an accurate diagnosis prior to treatment.
Call 843-707-8040 to schedule an appointment with a member of our pulmonology team.
It can be difficult to pinpoint a cause of ILD, but many things can contribute, including:
Symptoms of ILD include a dry cough and shortness of breath that comes on gradually and gets worse over time. As the disease progresses, fatigue, weight loss and joint pain may occur. When it is more advanced, ILD can cause blue lips, fingernails or skin and clubbing of the fingernails
There are no clear stages of ILD progression. Each person will have a unique experience with the disease and may have symptoms on a different timeline than someone else. That’s why it’s so important to accurately describe your symptoms to your doctor so he or she can determine the correct diagnosis.
The treatment guidelines for ILD vary and are highly dependent on the initial cause.
Common treatment includes:
Like many chronic diseases, you have the best chance at managing ILD in a team environment that includes you, your primary care provider, a pulmonologist, pharmacist, nurses and other healthcare professionals, to ensure you receive the best care and treatment possible. The pulmonology team at Beaufort Memorial can work with you to develop a plan that fits your condition and needs and help you learn how best to live with ILD.