Diseases & Conditions

Interstitial lung disease

Interstitial (in-tur-STISH-ul) lung disease actually describes a group of disorders, most of which cause progressive scarring of lung tissue. This eventually affects your ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Beyond this, the disorders vary greatly.

Most cases of interstitial lung disease develop gradually, but some come on suddenly. Doctors can pinpoint why some cases of interstitial lung disease occur, but many have no known cause.

In all cases, once lung scarring occurs, it's generally irreversible. Medications occasionally can slow the damage of interstitial lung disease, but many people never regain full use of their lungs. Researchers hope that newer drugs, many still experimental, may eventually prove more effective in treating interstitial lung disease.

Signs and symptoms of the wide variety of disorders classified as interstitial lung disease may include:

• A feeling of breathlessness (dyspnea), especially during or after physical activity
• A dry cough
• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Fingernails that curve over the tops of your fingertips (clubbing)

Breathlessness and a dry cough are often the primary signs and symptoms. Because these problems are vague and tend to develop gradually — often long after you have irreversible lung damage — you may assume they are due to aging, asthma, being overweight or out of shape, smoking, or the lingering effects of an upper respiratory infection.

Symptoms tend to become progressively worse. Eventually you may notice you're getting out of breath during routine activities — getting dressed, talking on the phone, even eating. At this point, breathing problems become impossible to ignore.

When to see a doctor
By the time signs and symptoms such as breathlessness and cough appear, irreversible lung damage has often already occurred. Nevertheless, it's important to see your doctor at the first sign of breathing problems. Many conditions other than interstitial lung disease can affect your lungs, and getting an early and accurate diagnosis is important for proper treatment.