Interstitial lung disease

ILD


Interstitial lung disease ecompasses a range of different conditions — our respiratory experts can diagnose and treat you

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About

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) describes a range of conditions, most of which cause scarring to lung tissue. These include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary vasculitis and hypersensitive pneumonitis. These can cause breathing difficulties as not enough oxygen gets into your blood. Our respiratory experts can help to diagnose and treat you.

Need to know

  • breathlessness
  • dry cough
  • weight loss

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.
  • 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.

Types of interstitial lung disease

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

People with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis experience scarring of their lungs. This results in an increasing difficulty with breathing over time.

Pulmonary vasculitis

If you have pulmonary vasculitis then the blood vessels in your lung have become inflamed or destroyed. This can be caused by other lung conditions.

Hypersensitive pneumonitis (HP)

Hypersensitive pneumonitis is an inflammation of your lung's alveoli. It happens when you breathe in particles that contaminate the alveoli.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a condition where an abnormal collection of inflammatory cells form lumps called granulomas. These form on the lungs and other organs.

Our Interstitial lung disease locations

The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital

The Portland Hospital

205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Lung Nodule Clinic

Lung Nodule Clinic

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.