Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
A group of lung conditions that cause inflammation or scarring, making it harder to breathe.
What is Interstitial Lung Disease?
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is not a single disease—it's a term used for many conditions that affect the tissue in and around the air sacs of the lungs. Over time, this damage can make breathing more difficult and reduce how much oxygen gets into your body.
ILD is different for everyone, and learning more about your specific condition can help you take active and informed steps in your care.
Key Facts about ILD
- An ILD is a type of restrictive lung disease, meaning the damage in your lungs makes it harder for your lungs to fully expand or fill up with air.
- Shortness of breath is the most common symptom.
- Anyone can get ILD, including children.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF, is the most common type.
What Are the Different Types of ILD?
Interstitial lung disease includes many different conditions. Some of these include:
- Asbestosis — caused by exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers
- Connective Tissue Disease-Associated ILD (CTD-ILD) – develops in people with autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis — develops when coal dust is inhaled over a long period of time (also called "black lung disease")
- Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia — a rare type of ILD with no specific known cause
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis — caused by inhaling environmental allergens such as mold, animal dander and bird droppings
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) — a progressive form of pulmonary fibrosis with unknown cause and one of the most common types of ILD
- Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) — a general term for interstitial lung disease that have developed scarring in the lungs, IPF is the most common form of PF
- Sarcoidosis — an inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs, including the lungs
- Silicosis — caused by inhaling silica dust, a mineral found in rocks, sand and soil
What Causes ILD?
There are dozens of known causes of interstitial lung disease, but in some cases, a specific cause cannot be identified. Some causes and risk factors include:
- Medication induced (certain medications such as chemotherapy or other medications that affect the lungs)
- Genetic (passed down from another family member)
- Radiation induced (past or present radiation to your chest)
- Environmental (such as exposure to bird feathers or droppings or mold)
- Autoimmune (your immune system attacks the body)
- Occupational exposure (past or present exposure to dust, chemicals, fumes, and/or vapors)
- Idiopathic (a cause cannot be found)
Lung infections and exposure to tobacco smoke may cause or worsen an ILD.
Symptoms of ILD
ILD symptoms may be present right away in some cases, but are usually mild at first and then may get worse over months or years.
How Is ILD Diagnosed?
Diagnosing ILD often involves multiple steps and tests.
To diagnose an ILD, your healthcare provider will ask you about your family and medical history and do a physical exam. It is important to share information about any other medical conditions you have and your work and hobbies that may result in toxic exposure. A chest X-ray or CT scan can get a better look at your lungs and help diagnose ILD. Other tests may include a blood test to check for autoimmune diseases, an arterial blood gas test or pulse oximetry can measure your blood oxygen levels, pulmonary exercise tests and lung function tests to see how well your lungs work.
To diagnose a specific type of ILD, your healthcare provider may order more invasive procedures such as a bronchoscopy or a lung biopsy.
Treating ILD
Treatment for ILDs varies depending on the specific type of ILD, its severity and how the disease is affecting your daily life. Treatment goals include reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, maintaining lung function and slowing disease progression.
Managing ILD
You can take steps to manage your lung health and improve your symptoms.
