Interstitial Lung Diseases

Overview

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a general term that includes many types of chronic lung disorders. Mayo Clinic has considerable experience in diagnosing and treating people affected by ILD, aided by state-of-the-art technology. Mayo also conducts research on experimental treatments.

Diagnosis

At Mayo Clinic, diagnosing ILD starts with a complete physical examination and a careful and thorough medical history to understand the cause of the disorder. Although more than 100 conditions can cause scarring of the lungs, most are either rare or are obvious from a clinical history of previous events and exposures. Most patients have one of the common diseases with rather clear-cut features. Mayo has many tools to help make the diagnosis. Read more about interstitial lung disease diagnosis.

Treatment Options

The goals of treatment are to decrease inflammation and prevent further lung damage. If the cause of interstitial lung disease is environmental, identifying and removing the source of the problem is key. Main treatments are medications, home oxygen therapy, smoking cessation, hormone therapy and lung transplantation (for severe cases). Mayo also has two pulmonary rehabilitation programs to help patients and their families learn to live with chronic disease. Read more about interstitial lung disease treatment options.

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• Treatment in Minnesota

About Interstitial Lung Diseases

The interstitial lung diseases are a group of disorders characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cells and/or noncellular material within the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. This process results in thickening and stiffness of the normally elastic tissues of the lung, and thus interferes with normal breathing. Persons with interstitial lung diseases often breathe in a rapid and shallow manner. Many are short of breath with exertion, especially at higher altitudes, and some have a bothersome cough, which is usually dry.