In the interstitial lung disease program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we treat many of the more than 200 respiratory conditions that fall under the category of interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Interstitial lung diseases are caused by inflammation and fibrosis (or scarring) in various parts of the lungs, making it difficult for you to breathe or causing a persistent cough.
We have pulmonary experts who specialize in these types of conditions, both the common and the lesser known. No matter which interstitial lung disease you have, we likely have experience diagnosing and treating it.
Here are a few of the rarer interstitial lung diseases that we treat in the interstitial lung disease program at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center:
Connective tissue-associated interstitial lung disease
This is a lung disease that happens to a small number of people who have a connective tissue disease, also known as an autoimmune condition. These conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus and scleroderma.
This ILD typically develops over years following an autoimmune diagnosis, but sometimes the connective tissue disease is diagnosed following respiratory symptoms.
People with this lung condition might experience shortness of breath, coughing or fatigue.
Treatment for this interstitial lung disease includes medications like corticosteroids or others to manage your autoimmune condition, oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia
Interstitial pneumonia refers to a pneumonia that isn’t caused by an infection in the lungs.
With lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, the alveoli (air sacs) fill with inflammation consisting of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Alveoli are important to lung function, because they’re where the lungs and blood exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide when you breathe.
This fluid buildup causes symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.
A rare disorder, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia is a common cause of pulmonary disease in children with HIV, but it’s also been seen in adults with HIV or other autoimmune conditions, like Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia
This interstitial lung disease occurs when eosinophils, which are a type of white blood cell, accumulate in large groups in the lungs and bloodstream.
We’re not entirely sure what causes the eosinophils to do this, but it may be linked to an allergic reaction to fungi, certain drugs, chemical fumes or parasites.
In chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, symptoms appear over time and progressively get worse if they’re not treated with corticosteroids or other medications.
There’s an acute version of the disease that comes on quickly with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and can lead to respiratory failure in a matter of hours or days if not treated.