Interstitial lung disease

Types

There are more than 200 different entities, which are very similar but require specific approaches.

The most important include:

• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
• Sarcoidosis
• Lung involvement caused by systemic or inflammatory diseases such as systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

View the full list of interstitial lung diseases.

Symptoms

The main symptom of interstitial lung disease is shortness of breath, especially during exertion. However, shortness of breath is a vague complaint with many potential causes, which is why patients often experience symptoms for a long time before deciding to see a doctor.

Learn more about possible symptoms.

Diagnosis

Symptoms are clearly non-specific, and it often takes time to establish an accurate diagnosis. A series of tests is needed to make the correct diagnosis.

Learn more about tests and diagnosis.

Causes

The lungs are a network of airways ending in alveoli. These alveoli allow oxygen from the air you breathe to pass into your bloodstream.

When the walls of the alveoli harden (due to inflammation or scarring), oxygen cannot sufficiently reach the blood, causing breathlessness, especially during exertion.

Treatment

Here are some potential treatments for this condition. After diagnosis, your doctor, together with other specialists, will determine the best solution for you. Your treatment may differ from the therapies listed below.

Tests

If you are (suspected of) suffering from this condition, one or more of the following tests may be performed:

Links

• European Reference Network LUNG