Respiratory and Pulmonary

These are some steps we can take to reduce the risk of Interstitial Lung Disease: Prevent occupational exposure:  It is advisable to utilize a respirator, which is a mask designed to filter particles from the air, when exposed to hazardous substances such as asbestos, metal dusts, or chemicals.   Exposure to certain allergens: It is recommended to wear a respirator when working in proximity to substances that can trigger chronic allergic reactions, such as hay, grain, bird…

Management of Interstitial Lung Disease includes active treatment of the underlying causes and supportive therapies like pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy. Alongside management of the common comorbidities encountered in ILD is essential. Common conditions seen with ILD are: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)- The acid from the stomach regurgitates back into the esophagus which may cause a burning sensation in the chest. This acid can flow into the lungs and cause inflammation,…

The management of Interstitial lung disease and the outcome solely depend on the type of condition leading to the restriction. There is also a need for treating symptoms and providing supportive and rehabilitative care.    Medications: Corticosteroids are often used as first line of treatment, but duration should be limited to avoid long term consequences. Immunosuppressants (such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, or cyclophosphamide) are also effective to reduce inflammation…

The diagnosis for Interstitial Lung Disease includes the following tests and examinations: History and Physical Examination: Your doctor may ask about the onset, severity, rate of worsening of symptoms, the family history, smoking and drug history, and the occupational and environmental exposure history. Smoking can cause and worsen ILDs. 6-minute walk test: The doctor may perform a 6-minute walk test to assess the aerobic exercise capacity and thus the lung and heart function. The patient…

There are more than 200 types of Interstitial Lung Diseases. Some of the common types of ILD are: Related to Exposure: Drug exposure like: Chemotherapy, methotrexate, etc. Occupational or environmental: inorganic dust like Asbestosis- Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition associated with prolonged exposure to high concentrations of asbestos fibers in the air. It may cause symptoms like shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, tightness in the chest or chest pain, loss of weight…

Here are some of the common symptoms of ILD or Interstitial Lung Disease: Dry Cough- A hacking cough with no production of phlegm. If the cough persists for 3 or more weeks, and is accompanied by blood and/or yellowish or greenish phlegm, one should see a doctor and have them check it out. Shortness of breath that worsens on physical exertion or exercise Extreme Fatigue- unusual tiredness even on routine day-to-day activities. Discomfort in chest- It may present as tightness in chest, pain or…

The following are some of the causes and risk factors of ILD Genetics, lifestyle habits, environmental factors Some medications or other medical conditions such as hepatitis C, tuberculosis, pneumonia, COPD or Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease may cause ILDs. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)- when the cause is “unknown” Exposure to dust or mold in the environment may also cause some ILDs like asbestos-related lung diseases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, etc. Some ILDs are more…

What is Interstitial Lung Disease To understand what Interstitial lung diseases actually are let’s try and understand what our lungs look like. Lungs are cylindrical organs, with a rounded, narrow peak at the top called the apex. At the base of the lungs is a broad, curved base that rests on the flattened surface of the diaphragm. The trachea (windpipe) divides into two main tubes called bronchus that divide several times after entering the lungs to form smaller tubes called bronchioles that…

Dr. Dinesh Khanna, (Professor of Medicine at University of Michigan, USA.), spoke about Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and its treatment in scleroderma at the 2024 Sclerocon conference organized by Scleroderma India. Dr. Khanna highlighted that lung fibrosis affects 60% to 70% of scleroderma patients and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment. He also discussed the role of autoantibodies, the necessity of immunizations and shed light on ongoing clinical trials for…

As we age, our immunity and ability to withstand infections decline. This makes us more vulnerable to infections. The monsoon season particularly adds to the risk of falls due to slippery surfaces, diseases like dengue and malaria from mosquito bites, diarrhea and also aggravation of respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Here are a few conditions to watch out for and how to manage our health during the rainy season: Food and Waterborne Diseases Monsoons are associated with a lot of…