Interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease is a group of disorders that cause scarring or inflammation in your lungs. 

This happens in the interstitium — the tissue around the air sacs in your lungs. As the scar tissue builds up, your lungs become thick and stiff. This makes it harder for you to take a deep breath and for oxygen to move into your blood.

Many things can cause interstitial lung disease. Some examples include: 

• Autoimmune conditions
• Exposures in your environment, like mold, bird feathers and asbestos
• Cigarette smoking
• Rare medication side effects

Often we do not know the cause, in which case it is called “idiopathic” or “unclassifiable”.

Interstitial lung disease can be progressive, meaning it gets worse over time. It can also stay mild or even improve with treatment, depending on the situation. 

To find out if you have interstitial lung disease, we will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. We may also perform the following tests:

• Blood tests. We take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory. The sample is checked for markers of autoimmune diseases. We also look at the level of oxygen in your blood.
• Chest X-ray or  CT scan. We use imaging tests to take detailed pictures of your lungs.
• Lung function testing. We measure how well your lungs move air and transfer oxygen. We may also check how your lungs work during exercise.
• Bronchoscopy. We occasionally use a thin, flexible tube with a small camera to look at what is happening inside your lungs. This tube is called a bronchoscope. The tube goes through your mouth or nose and down your throat.
• Biopsy. Rarely we need to examine a small sample of your lung tissue on a microscope. We may take this sample during your bronchoscopy or a short surgical procedure.

There is no cure for interstitial lung disease. We use different treatments, depending on your situation, to slow its progression. This will improve your quality of life. 

Your care might include: 

• Avoiding triggers. Cigarette smoke, severe air pollution, and other harmful substances can make symptoms worse. If you smoke, our Providence Health Care Smoking Cessation Clinic offers support to help you quit. 
• Vaccination. Common infections can cause further damage to your lungs. Vaccinating against these infections can help reduce your risk.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation. This program can strengthen your breathing muscles. We will teach you strategies to manage your symptoms.
• Oxygen therapy. We may deliver extra oxygen through a mask or small tube in your nose if you are not getting enough. 
• Immune-suppressing medication. These aim to reduce excessive inflammation in your lungs.
• Anti-scarring medication. These can reduce the amount of scar tissue (fibrosis) formation in the lungs.
• Lung transplant. If your lungs are very damaged, you may be able to receive a lung transplant. This procedure replaces your damaged lungs with healthy ones.

Clinics that treat interstitial lung disease

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca

Advances in treatments are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make for yourself in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this area so please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.

By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about advancing health outcomes and find better ways to help people live and thrive. While you cannot assume benefit to yourself, your participation can make a difference in improving care for future patients.

The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information or contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.