Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a general term that includes more than 200 chronic lung disorders. The lung of people who suffers from ILD is affected in three steps: lung tissue is damaged, this lead to the inflammation of the walls of air sacs in the lung. The third step is scarring (fibrosis) in the interstitium (tissue between the air sacs), and the lung becomes stiff.

The common link between the many forms of ILD is that they all begin with an inflammation: bronchiolitis - inflammation that involves the bronchioles or alveolitis - inflammation that involves the alveoli (air sacs). An inflammation can also involve small blood vessels- vasculitis. Fibrosis, or scarring of the lung tissue, results in permanent loss of that tissue's ability to transport oxygen.

Some of the known causes of ILD include: some autoimmune diseases (like systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis), exposure to inorganic or organic dust (silica, asbestos, bacteria) and gases. Radiation therapy and some drug groups can cause ILD.

Among the symptoms of interstitial lung disease: fatigue and weakness, weight loss, chest discomfort, dry cough, hemorrhage in lungs.

ILD is diagnosed by physical examination, chest X-ray, pulmonary function tests, and blood tests. CT scan is also produced in some cases because it gives more detailed information than general x-rays.

Treatments may include: oral medications, including corticosteroids, influenza vaccine, pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine, oxygen supplementation from portable containers. When the disease is too complicated, lung transplantation may be an optional treatment. 

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