Interstitial lung disease

Need to know

• Symptoms of interstitial lung disease icon plus

  • breathlessness
  • dry cough
  • weight loss

• Diagnosis icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis. They may also recommend certain diagnostic tests.

  • Blood tests to detect protein and antibodies identified in ILDs.
  • X-ray or CT scan to show images of your chest and lungs
  • Echocardiogram to help visualise any abnormalities in your heart
  • Pulmonary function tests, like a  spirometry to assess how much air you lungs can hold, and an aoximetry to measure oxygen levels in your blood.
  • A bronchoscopy where a flexible tube with a camera is passed into your lungs and a sample of your lung tissue is taken.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  • Medication to slow progression of ILD.
  • Oxygen therapy to assist with breathing and reduce high blood pressure.
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation to help with your everyday life. This includes breathing exercises and diet recommendations.

  In very severe cases where medication hasn't helped, lung transplant surgery may be considered. You consultant would of course speak with you in detail about this as a potential procedure.