Overview
Interstitial lung disease is a group of conditions that cause progressive scarring and stiffening of the tissue around the air sacs of the lungs. This scarring makes it harder for oxygen to pass into the blood, leading to breathlessness that worsens over time. Some forms can be slowed with treatment, so early diagnosis matters.
Symptoms
- Breathlessness, at first only with activity
- Dry, persistent cough
- Fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Aching muscles and joints in some types
- Clubbing of the fingertips over time
Causes & risk factors
- Long-term exposure to dusts such as silica, asbestos or coal
- Exposure to mould, bird proteins or other inhaled triggers
- Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma
- Certain medicines and radiation therapy
- Idiopathic forms with no identifiable cause
- Smoking and some genetic factors
Treatment & self-care
Care begins with confirming the type through imaging, breathing tests and sometimes a biopsy, since management differs by cause. Treatment may involve removing the trigger, medicines that reduce inflammation or slow scarring, pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen, all overseen by a respiratory specialist.
See a doctor urgently if
- You have breathlessness or a dry cough that has gradually worsened over weeks to months
- You work or have worked around dusts, fumes or mould and notice breathing changes
- Get emergency care for sudden severe breathlessness or chest pain