Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of more than 200 conditions that cause inflammation or scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs.
The scarring makes the lungs stiff, so it becomes harder to get oxygen into the blood. This is why people with ILD feel breathless and often have a dry cough.
What causes ILD?
- Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or myositis
- Exposures — birds and feathers, mould, dust, some jobs
- Some medicines and radiation treatment
- No known cause — for example, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Why does the type matter?
Different types of ILD need different treatment. Some improve with medicines that calm the immune system, some need medicines that slow scarring, and in some the most important step is avoiding the trigger. Getting the right diagnosis is the first step — this is why your doctor may ask many questions and order several tests.