Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Treatment in India
Specialized care for patients with lung scarring, progressive breathlessness, and reduced lung function.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) refers to a group of lung conditions that cause inflammation and fibrosis of lung tissue, leading to progressive breathlessness and reduced quality of life. Early diagnosis and expert management are essential to slow disease progression and improve outcomes.
What Is Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)?
Interstitial Lung Disease is not a single condition—it includes over 200 disorders affecting the lung interstitium, the tissue surrounding the air sacs (alveoli). As fibrosis develops, the lungs become stiff and lose their ability to transfer oxygen efficiently into the bloodstream.
Some forms of ILD progress slowly, while others worsen rapidly and can become life-threatening if not treated early.
Common Symptoms of ILD
Symptoms often develop gradually, which is why many patients present late.
- Shortness of breath
- Dry, persistent cough
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Clubbing (rounding of fingernails or toenails)
- Unexplained weight loss
"If these symptoms persist for weeks to months, specialist evaluation is strongly recommended."
What Causes Interstitial Lung Disease?
ILD can develop due to multiple causes—some identifiable and others unknown.
Environmental & Occupational Exposures
Common in India due to industrial and agricultural settings:
- Silica dust
- Coal dust
- Asbestos
- Mold and fungal exposure
- Organic dust (farming or bird exposure)
Autoimmune & Connective Tissue Diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Sarcoidosis
These conditions can cause progressive lung fibrosis.
Medications
- Certain chemotherapy drugs
- Some heart and anti-arrhythmic medications
- Long-term drug toxicity
Radiation Therapy
- Certain chemotherapy drugs
- Some heart and anti-arrhythmic medications
- Long-term drug toxicity
Viral Infections
- Post-viral lung injury
- Post-COVID-19 lung fibrosis (increasingly seen in India)
Idiopathic Causes
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) — one of the most common and serious ILDs where no clear cause is identified.
Why Specialized ILD Care Matters in India
India has a high burden of ILD due to:
- Environmental pollution
- Occupational exposure
- Autoimmune diseases
- Post-COVID lung complications
Dr. Srinivas Rajagopala provides expert evaluation and long-term management of ILD in India, following international guidelines while addressing region-specific risk factors.
How Is ILD Diagnosed?
ILD diagnosis requires a systematic and expert approach, as it can mimic asthma, COPD, or infections.
Diagnostic Evaluation Includes:
- High-resolution CT (HRCT) scan of the chest
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
- Blood tests to identify autoimmune disease
- Bronchoscopy or lung biopsy (selected cases)
- Oxygen level assessment at rest and during exercise
Accurate classification of ILD is critical for choosing the right treatment strategy.
Why Choose Dr. Srinivas Rajagopala?
- 20+ years of transplant expertise
- Leader in complex pulmonary care
- Ethical, patient-first approach
- Focused on long-term outcomes
When Should You Seek Expert Care?
- Have long-standing breathlessness or dry cough
- Have abnormal CT scan findings
- Have autoimmune disease with lung symptoms
- Are diagnosed with ILD or pulmonary fibrosis
- Have worsening symptoms despite treatment
- Need a second opinion for ILD in India