Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a term used to describe a group of disorders that cause scarring of lung tissue, making it difficult to breathe and get oxygen to the body
. There are over 200 types of ILD, most of which cause progressive scarring of lung tissue
. The scarring associated with ILD eventually affects the ability to breathe and can be caused by long-term exposure to hazardous materials, such as asbestos, or certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis
. Lung damage can also result from exposure to occupational and environmental toxins, certain medications or medical treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy, and genetics
. The most common symptom of all ILDs is shortness of breath, which is often accompanied by a dry cough, chest discomfort, fatigue, and occasionally weight loss
. Unfortunately, in many cases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the causes may be unknown
. To diagnose an ILD, a doctor will probably order a chest X-ray or CT scan to get a better look at the lungs, and a lung function test may be used to measure the lungs’ ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
