About Interstitial Lung Disease

From 1992 to 2003 the percentage of people who died from interstitial lung disease increased by 54 percent. The American Lung Association estimates that the figures for interstitial lung disease mortality will continue to increase.

Identification

• Interstitial lung disease is a group of disorders that eventually results in fibrosis or scarring of the lungs.

Features

• The major symptoms of interstitial lung disease are a dry cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms are minor at first, but worsen without treatment.

Causes

• The Mayo Clinic reports a variety of causes for interstitial lung disease, including repeated exposure to silica dust or asbestos; various infections of the lungs; radiation for lung or breast cancer; and as a result of certain drugs used in chemotherapy and to treat heart conditions. Some autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis also contribute to the disease.

Diagnosis

• Doctors employ a variety of methods to diagnose interstitial lung disease, including chest x-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, biopsies and video-assisted surgery.

Treatment

• When the effects of interstitial lung disease are reversible, corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs are effective treatment options. When scarring is involved, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplants become the only available treatments.