Going through the process to diagnose interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be frustrating. But by learning about these diseases and how they may progress over time, you can be better prepared to deal with the challenges ILDs bring.

What it Takes to Diagnose ILD

Diagnosing ILD often requires a physical examination, a review of your medical, social, occupational, and other history, and a variety of tests. These tests can help your healthcare provider rule out other diseases and pinpoint a diagnosis of ILD. Sometimes it can take several weeks to receive test results, so the earlier you and your healthcare provider can begin the testing process, the better. Information and tests your healthcare provider may use include:

Information

• Medical procedures
• Prescribed and over-the-counter medications
• Potential environmental exposure
• Family medical history

Tests

• Blood tests
• Pulmonary function tests
• Chest x-rays (radiographs)
• A high-resolution CT scan (HRCT)
• A lung biopsy
• A bronchoscopy (examination of the airway)

Read more about these tests

What it Takes to Manage Your Chronic ILD with Worsening Fibrosis

ILD may cause scarring of the lungs (called pulmonary fibrosis) that gets worse, or progresses, over time. You may hear this referred to as having a chronic ILD with worsening fibrosis.

Once you’ve been diagnosed, you’ll want to read up on the management options for patients with chronic ILD with worsening fibrosis or IPF, a common type of ILD, start monitoring and recording your symptoms, and prepare questions for your healthcare provider. This will allow you and your medical team to better design the right management program for you.

Talk with your healthcare provider about how frequently you should be examined, and what you can do to best manage your disease.

Management Options

Each person living with chronic ILD with worsening fibrosis has unique needs depending on their medical history and other existing conditions. Therefore, your healthcare provider’s approach to managing your disease will be personalized to meet your specific needs. Management may include:

Lifestyle and therapeutic options

Pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and disciplined nutrition and other lifestyle changes might be part of your daily prescribed disease management plan.

Medical and surgical options

Some people may also be candidates for clinical trials. And for certain people, lung transplantation may be an option.