Interstitial Lung Disease (Ild)

ILD symptoms often develop slowly and may be mistaken for other lung or heart conditions. As the disease progresses, symptoms usually worsen.

Common symptoms include:

• shortness of breath, especially when active

• a dry, persistent cough

• fatigue or tiredness

• chest discomfort or tightness

• unintended weight loss

• clubbing (widening) of the fingertips

It’s not always clear what causes ILD, and in many cases, no clear cause is identified. There are certain factors that are known to increase the risk of developing ILD.  

Possible causes and risk factors include:

• long-term exposure to dusts such as silica, asbestos, or metal particles

• smoking

• certain medications, including chemotherapy and some heart or antibiotic drugs

• radiotherapy to the chest

• autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma

• genetic factors

• repeated respiratory infections

If you suspect you have interstitial lung disease (ILD), you’ll meet with one of our expert respiratory consultants at our Lung Health centre. During your appointment, your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, overall health, and medical history, then perform a physical examination. They may arrange further tests to better understand your lung health and guide the next steps in your care.

Possible tests include: 

• a CT scan to assess lung scarring and patterns

• lung function tests to measure breathing capacity

• blood tests to check for autoimmune or inflammatory causes

• a bronchoscopy 

• a lung biopsy if the diagnosis remains unclear

At Welbeck, our team of respiratory specialists and radiologists work together using advanced imaging and minimally invasive procedures for fast and accurate diagnosis. Once any further tests are complete, your consultant will explain your diagnosis as soon as possible.

Preventing interstitial lung disease (ILD) isn’t always straightforward, because many cases have no known cause. However, there are steps that can reduce your risk and maintain good lung health. 

Reduce your risk of ILD by: 

• limiting exposure to dust, fumes, asbestos, silica, coal dust, or other occupational/environmental irritants.

• stopping smoking

• managing underlying autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma) that can lead to ILD

• preventing lung infections (like flu and pneumonia) with vaccination, to reduce stress on the lungs

It’s important to get regular check-ups if you’re at risk of ILD, as early detection can help slow progression.

If untreated, ILD can lead to long-term complications that affect lung function and overall health.

These include:

• pulmonary hypertension – high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs

• respiratory failure – when the lungs cannot provide enough oxygen

• right-sided heart strain (cor pulmonale) due to chronic low oxygen

• increased risk of lung infections

• reduced quality of life due to breathlessness and fatigue

Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of these complications.

The treatment you receive for ILD will depend on the severity of your condition. In many cases, the scarring and damage to your lungs is irreversible, so your tailored treatment plan will focus on slowing the progression of your condition and managing the symptoms you’re experiencing to improve your quality of life. 

Treatment options include:

• anti-fibrotic medicines to slow scarring 

• corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs to reduce inflammation

• oxygen therapy to ease breathing and improve energy levels

• pulmonary rehabilitation – a supervised exercise and education programme to improve lung function and stamina

• a lung transplant in advanced cases when other treatments are no longer effective

Your team will also support you with lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and staying active, as these can make a big difference to symptoms.

At Welbeck, our respiratory consultants are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.