Understanding Your Treatment Options for Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) isn’t just one disease but a group of lung disorders that affect the interstitium, which is the tissue and space around the air sacs in your lungs. These diseases can lead to scarring and inflammation, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

Common symptoms of ILD include shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue, weight loss, and chest tightness. Severe ILD can result in life-threatening complications. While there’s no cure for ILD, various treatment options can help lessen the symptoms and prevent the disease from worsening.

At Chuan Jiang Medicine PC, located in Flushing, New York, board-certified pulmonologist Chuan Jiang, MD, can diagnose and treat your lung disease to help you get back to a healthy lifestyle. Your treatment option will depend on your specific lung disorder, the severity of the disease, and your symptoms. 

Here, Dr Jiang explains some of the many options available to treat ILD:

Medications

There’s ongoing research to identify effective medicines for all the different types of ILD. As of now, some of the medications Dr. Jiang prescribes include: 

• Bronchodilators to open your airways
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Antifibrotics to slow scarring

Dr. Jiang can determine the right medication for you, as needed.

Lifestyle modifications

Certain lifestyle factors can increase your risk of developing ILD or worsen your symptoms. Avoiding these things, which include smoking, pollutants, and other toxic substances, can help. Additionally, exercising regularly can help build strong lungs.

Oxygen therapy

In cases where ILD leads to low blood oxygen levels, supplemental oxygen therapy can help improve oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. Supplemental oxygen can also help prevent organ damage, improve sleep, and make breathing easier. 

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a structured program that combines exercise, breathing techniques, education, and psychological support. These exercises specifically target your lungs to help improve function and overall quality of life.

Lung transplant

If you have advanced scarring and your symptoms don't improve with other treatments, Dr. Jiang may recommend surgery to replace your damaged lung with a new, healthy lung. Dr. Jiang can assess if you're a good candidate for this procedure.

Yearly vaccines

One way to protect your lungs is to stay healthy. To ward off colds, flu, and other viruses, be sure to stay up-to-date on your vaccines and immunizations. 

To learn more about ILD diagnosis and treatment options, call the office of Chuan Jiang Medicine PC to make an appointment. You can also request one online.