Dr. Gary Hunninghake Presents an Introduction to Interstitial Lung Diseases

What is Interstitial Lung Disease?

Interstitial lung disease is a class of illness that includes more than 100 conditions that lead to scarring or inflammation of the tissues surrounding air sacs in the lungs.

These tissues are called interstitia. When they become scarred or inflamed, they make it more difficult for the lungs’ air sacs to expand and completely fill with air. Because of this, one classic symptom of interstitial lung

disease is shortness of breath.

Causes of Interstitial Lung Diseases

A variety of environmental and health conditions can cause interstitial lung diseases, including: Inhalation of toxic chemicals such as asbestos. Inhalation of farm or coal dust. Autoimmune disorders. Improper healing responses to other conditions.

Treatment Recommendations

Treatment, which varies widely depending on the condition’s cause and on the patient’s circumstance, might include medication (which can reduce inflammation or improve lung function), removal of the environmental toxin, rehabilitation of the lung, or even a lung transplant.

About Dr. Gary Hunninghake

A longtime member of the American Thoracic Society, Gary Hunninghake, MD, counts interstitial lung diseases among his chief areas of interest in research. Dr. Hunninghake’s contributions to the field include hundreds of scholarly research articles regarding topics of lung function and disease.