ILD: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment!

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) also called diffused parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) is a lung disease with many types that affects the interstitium (the tissue & around the alveoli).

It occurs when an injury to the lung brings about an abnormal immune response, therefore in ILD the repair process gets affected & the tissue generated around the alveoli becomes scarred & thickened.

This leads to decreased flow of oxygen to the blood flow.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

ILD has classic symptoms of lung diseases:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Mucus
  • Inflammation
  • Chest discomfort
  • Wheezing

COMPLICATIONS

  • High blood pressure in the arteries present in the lungs.
  • Right side heart failure
  • Respiratory collapse.

CAUSES OF ILD

Idiopathic causes:

  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Desquamative interstitial pneumonia
  • Acute interstitial pneumonia
  • Non-specific interstitial pneumonia
  • Respiratory bronchiolitis
  • Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia

Secondary causes:

  • Sarcoidosis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Systemic sclerosis
  • Polymyositis
  • Dermatomyositis.

RISK FACTORS FOR ILD

Due to inhaled substances:

  • Silicosis
  • Asbestosis
  • Berylliosis
  • Coal dust
  • Talc
  • Industrial printing chemicals.

Drug related:

  • Antibiotics
  • Chemotherapy agents
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Due to infection & diseases:

  • Covid-19
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chlamydia
  • Inflammation of lymph vessels.

Other factors:

  • Age
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • GERD
  • Genetic factors
  • Smoking.

DIAGNOSIS OF ILD

  1. Chest X-ray shows scarring present around the lungs.
  2. High resolution CT scan,
  3. Lung function test or spirometry for assessment of the health of the lungs.
  4. Oximetry for measurement of oxygen saturation in the blood.
  5. Biopsy of lung tissue for accurate diagnosis & detailed study of scarring.
  6. Bronchoscopy for visual of the bronchioles.
  7. Genetic testing of DNA.

TREATMENT OF ILD

Medications:

  • Antibiotics for treatment of infectious pneumonia.
  • Anti-TB drugs
  • Corticosteriods for dealing with inflammation.
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Inhalational oxygen therapy
  • Drugs for management of pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Pulmonary rehab
  • N- acetylcysteine, potent antioxidant to slow the decline of lung function in some forms of ILD.

Surgery:

  • Lung transplant

PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT

  • Stopping of smoking.
  • Preventing of exposure to effluents & smoke.
  • Vaccinations for infectious diseases.