What Is Interstitial Lung Disease?

Interstitial lung disease covers a variety of lung conditions that cause thickening of the interstitium (lace-like network of tissue) around the alveoli of the lung, and is a category distinct from the obstructive airway diseases. The thickening can be due to inflammation, scarring, or extra fluid (edema). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be an acute, chronic, short-lived, or irreversible condition. All forms of ILD involve fibrosis (thickening and scarring of connective tissue). The scarring may cause progressive lung stiffness, eventually affecting ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. ILD usually affects adults, and may be caused by drugs (e.g. chemotherapy and some antibiotics), radiation, and environmental or