Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 8/13/2021
Doctor's Notes on Interstitial Lung Disease (Interstitial Pneumonia)
Interstitial lung disease is inflammation in the interstitial tissue of the lungs, the spaces and supportive tissue that surround and separate the air sacs (alveoli), and not the air sacs themselves. Interstitial inflammation typically occurs all over the lungs and is not confined to one location.
Symptoms of interstitial lung disease develop gradually as a result of decreased lung function and may include:
- shortness of breath,
- dry cough, and
- signs of chronically reduced oxygen levels in the blood such as clubbing (a painless enlargement of the fingertips) and an enlarged heart.
Complications of interstitial lung disease include:
- pulmonary hypertension (a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries within the lungs),
- right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale), and
- respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
What Is the Treatment for Interstitial Lung Disease?
Treatment for interstitial lung disease depends on many factors, including the cause of the disease and its severity. It is also critical to treat the underlying disease process that caused the condition. In more severe cases, respiratory support, including oxygen or mechanical ventilation, may be required. Smoking cessation is also essential to treatment. In some cases, however, no therapy may be available.
Treatments for interstitial lung disease may include:
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present
- Immunosuppressant medications
- Chemotherapy
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
QuestionCOPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the same as adult-onset asthma.
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REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.