Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
A group of lung conditions that cause inflammation or scarring, making it harder to breathe.
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 the next steps in 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.
Types of ILD
Interstitial lung disease includes many different conditions. Some of these include:
- Asbestosis — caused by exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers
- 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 — a progressive disease with unknown cause, the most common type of ILD
- Pulmonary Fibrosis — a form of interstitial lung disease that indicates scarring in the lungs
- 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
Visit the Lung Disease Lookup to learn more about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments and management for chronic lung conditions.
What Causes ILD?
There are dozens of known causes, but an ILD can also happen without a cause.
- 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 (exposure to animal proteins or mold)
- Autoimmune (your immune system attacks the body)
- Occupational (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
Common symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- Chest discomfort
- Fatigue
Advanced symptoms:
- Clubbing or widening of the fingers or toes
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Low oxygen levels
- Lung sounds called “crackles”
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. 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 type of ILD diagnosed and the severity. Treatment goals include reducing symptoms, improving quality of life and slowing the disease's progression.
Managing ILD
You can take steps to manage your lung health and improve your symptoms.
