Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a general term that includes a variety of chronic lung disorders. When a person has ILD, the lung is affected in three ways. First, the lung tissue is damaged in some fashion. Second, the walls of the air sacs in the lung become inflamed. Finally, scarring (or fibrosis) begins in the interstitium (tissue between the air sacs), and the lung becomes stiff. Breathlessness during exercise can be one of the first symptoms of these diseases in addition to a dry cough.

MedicineNet.com
The Lung Association
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

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