Conditions

Dr. Latika Gupta, Consultant Rheumatologist and Senior Lecturer at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Manchester in UK addresses questions on Myositis or Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy, an often-underdiagnosed autoimmune condition. What is Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM) or myositis? Myositis is a group of rare conditions where the immune system, which normally protects us from infections, mistakenly attacks healthy muscle tissue. This causes inflammation in…

Ulcerative Colitis is an auto-immune condition. Read this article to understand the symptoms, causes, treatment and management of Ulcerative Colitis What is Ulcerative Colitis It is an inflammatory disease that usually begins in the rectum and may later involve the large intestine. It is a lifelong autoimmune condition (the normal bowel bacteria provoke the immune system to attack the wall of the intestine, thus causing injury to the bowel). It is a part of the spectrum of the inflammatory…

Crohn’s Disease, IBD, IBS are sometimes used interchangeably. We break down Crohn’s disease, how it is different from these other conditions and explain the symptoms, causes, treatment and management of Crohn’s Disease. Overview of Crohn’s Disease  To begin with, let’s understand that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two different gastrointestinal disorders, as the terms sound similar and may have some overlapping symptoms, it may use them…

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…