Interstitial lung disease refers to a group of 100 to 200 lung conditions, including sarcoidosis, bronchiolitis obliterans, histiocytosis X, and many others. The defining feature of interstitial lung diseases is that they cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs, known as pulmonary fibrosis.
Many things can cause interstitial lung disease, but it usually results from prolonged exposure to smoke, asbestos, and other harmful contaminants. Unfortunately, once your lungs get scarred, there’s nothing you can do to fix the damage. The best you can hope for is a treatment to stop the progression of scarring, which makes early diagnosis vital if you have an interstitial lung disease.
Regardless of what type of interstitial lung disease you have, it will result in similar symptoms. Because your lungs and alveoli are scarred and inflamed, there’s less lung surface area to absorb oxygen. As a result, there’s not enough oxygen traveling throughout your body to vital organs and parts. Here are some of the symptoms you’ll experience when that happens.
Most of the symptoms you’ll experience with interstitial lung disease happen because your body isn’t getting enough oxygen. Symptoms will typically start as mild and worsen as your condition progresses.
In most cases, interstitial lung disease is caused by inhaling harmful contaminants or irritants. It can also happen when you suffer an injury or illness that affects your lungs resulting in an autoimmune healing response. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the healing process can go wrong, resulting in scarring and inflammation rather than healing. Here are some known risk factors and causes of interstitial lung disease.
Interstitial lung disease is also more common in people over 70 and in people who work in an environment where they inhale harmful contaminants. In addition to the known causes, there are also instances where someone gets interstitial lung disease despite not having any of the risk factors listed above.
Because there are so many different conditions categorized as interstitial lung disease, diagnosis can be tricky. In addition to your personal history and symptoms, your doctor will use three tests to determine if you have interstitial lung disease.
Administering a pulmonary test is one of the first things your doctor will do if they suspect you have an interstitial lung disease. Typically, this will be a spirometry test to determine if your lungs are at full or partial capacity.
X-rays and CT scans will also be useful in showing whether or not you have scarring on your lungs.
A lung biopsy will allow your doctor to examine a small tissue sample from your lung to determine whether or not there’s scarring.
By using these three tests, your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis.
Unfortunately, scarring and tissue damage to your lungs is almost always irreversible. Once it happens, there’s nothing you can do to fix it. However, several treatments are available to stop the progression of scarring and help you recover some of your lung capacity.
Medications such as steroids and prednisone can reduce inflammation.
A lung transplant is needed in severe situations where your life is at stake.
Surgery is sometimes needed to remove a damaged portion of your lung.
Oxygen therapy will make breathing easier.
Pulmonary rehabilitation in the form of physical exercise and breathing techniques can help you regain some of your lung capacity.
While you likely won’t fully recover from interstitial lung disease, these treatments can help you lead a normal life.