Interstitial Lung Disease

A respiratory disorder in which the tissue between the air sacs in the lungs becomes inflamed, thick, and stiff, causing severe shortness of breath. Permanent scarring and/or inflammation of the lung tissues, and an irreversible inability to transport oxygen characterize the chronic phase of this disorder. The cause of interstitial lung disease is unknown, but researchers suspect it may be caused by cigarette smoking, chemical vapours and dust in the workplace, certain drugs, and/or other diseases.

Early symptoms of interstitial lung disease include shortness of breath during exercise, dry cough, and lung pain. These symptoms worsen over time if the condition is left untreated. Over time, interstitial lung disease can scar the lung tissue. In severe cases, this disease can lead to respiratory failure or heart failure.

Several tests are needed to diagnose this condition. A lung CT scan can be one of the tests, and may also help in the guiding of a biopsy to remove a lung tissue sample for analysis. The treatment depends on how far the condition has progressed, and may include steroid medications, vaccines, antibiotics and oxygen-assisted breathing. In some cases, interstitial lung disease responds to medication; severe cases require a lung transplant.