If you find yourself experiencing increasing shortness of breath, an ongoing dry cough, chest discomfort, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss, contact the office of North Jersey Pulmonary Associates. Getting a prompt diagnosis and care can help prevent further complications to your respiratory health and overall well-being.
Understanding interstitial lung disease
The symptoms described above may indicate you have Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Although the name sounds like a single disease, it is an umbrella term for over 200 conditions responsible for lung inflammation and scarring.
The issues that unite all these conditions together under the heading of Interstitial Lung Disease are the scarring and damage they produce in the tissues between the tiny air sacs in your lungs (alveoli) and the blood vessels around them. Although individual cases of ILD can range from mild to severe, with the course of the disease sometimes unpredictable, the overall effect is the same. Interstitial lung disease makes it harder and harder to get oxygen into your blood and out to your tissues and organs. If left untreated, a progressive ILD can have severe and life-threatening consequences.
Contributing factors
While in some cases, the cause remains unknown, environmental pollutants, occupational pollutants, certain drugs or medications, radiation, autoimmune and connective tissue diseases, or family history can increase your risk for ILD. For cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which typically affects seniors, there is no known cause.
Skilled, compassionate, and trusted care
At North Jersey Pulmonary Associates, we provide skilled, integrated care to manage ILD and help our patients breathe easier. We also work closely with other medical specialists as needed to address any comorbid conditions affecting our patients.
As with all conditions, a thorough assessment begins with a complete medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Our specialists may order radiographs and scans to get a better look at your lungs, along with blood tests, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy, lung biopsy, and other diagnostic tests as indicated.
Keep in mind the outlook for interstitial lung disease is best if treated as soon as possible. Since the lung damage is often irreversible, treatment typically centers on relieving symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving one’s quality of life. Depending on individual needs, prescribed treatment often includes medications, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.