Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine

Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a term used to describe a diverse group of disorders found in the tissue between the air sacs of the lungs that lead to fibrosis or scarring of the interstitial tissue. Scarring or inflammation of the interstitial tissue makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the lungs. Interstitial lung disease usually begins with coughing or shortness of breath and results in more severe symptoms. A wide range of disorders can be associated with a systemic disease or have an unknown cause. Interstitial lung disease is often difficult to diagnose and requires several tests and approaches. There are over 100 diseases classified as ILD, so an accurate diagnosis is vital to provide more information and treatment options.