Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a group of diseases that causes scarring and severe inflammation in the lungs. These types of diseases usually damage tissues present between the alveoli and the blood vessels surrounding it. People suffering from ILD find it extremely difficult to move oxygen out of the lungs.
You can contact the best pulmonologist doctor in Siliguri if you’re also experiencing the symptoms of ILD. Some of the common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and dry cough. During the initial period, there can be very mild symptoms that may get worse as the disease progresses.
Given below are some of the common types of ILD that you may experience.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis is one of the most common ILDs that scars and damages the lung tissues. The stiff and thickened tissue caused due to fibrosis disrupts normal lung functioning and leads to shortness of breath.
In most cases, the causes of fibrosis are not found and then it is termed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The symptoms of this lung disorder are muscle and joint aches, dry cough, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. The doctor may recommend oxygen therapy, medication, or pulmonary rehabilitation to treat this issue.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a health condition that makes the immune system overreact and develop small nodules, which are called granulomas. If this condition is left untreated, then the granulomas can turn into fibrosis, which may cause severe lung scarring.
The general symptoms of Sarcoidosis are muscle aches, fever, night sweats, and joint pain. If this condition is affecting the lungs then the symptoms can be shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest pain. This disorder can also affect your eyes, nervous system, skin, and heart.
Silicosis
Silicosis is a type of ILD and one of the most common occupational diseases, which mainly affects people who work around crystalline silica. The dust inhaled in the work environment can contain small particles of silica that can damage the lungs.
This disease can be easily prevented if the workers use effective protective equipment. The common symptoms of this disorder are inflammation, coughing with sputum, and fibrosis. You must visit a respiratory specialist doctor immediately if you’re experiencing severe breathing issues.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is an allergic reaction caused by any plant or animal protein, bacteria, or fungi. Without proper treatment, this disease can become extremely chronic which can lead to irreversible lung scarring and damage.
During the acute stage, the symptoms that one may experience are fever, muscle aches, chest tightness, and chills. Immunosuppressive medications, oxygen therapy, and anti-fibrotic drugs are effective treatment options for this type of ILD.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is another common type of ILD that causes inflammation in the blood vessels further leading to restrictions in blood flow. This condition can cause severe damage to the tissues and organs such as lungs, hands, digestive system, skin, ears, and eyes. Coughing with blood and shortness of breath are the symptoms of vasculitis when it affects the lungs.
To treat these lung conditions, you must book an appointment with a lungs specialist doctor in Siliguri. The doctor will first diagnose your condition through an echocardiogram, CT scan, lung tissue analysis, pulmonary function tests, or blood tests to recommend an effective treatment plan.
