Some known causes include occupational and environmental exposure, drugs, poisons, and certain connective tissue diseases. Two-thirds of ILD cases have no known cause and are therefore termed idiopathic, meaning of unknown origin. Making a diagnosis of ILD and finding out the cause are done with a thorough medical history, a complete exam, a chest x-ray, breathing tests , and measurements showing the blood oxygen level at rest and with exercise. A bronchoscopy is performed to check for any inflammatory cells involved. This process is similar to the way the body heals a cut.
Early healing causes redness and inflammation, with many activated cells surrounding the area.
Treatment is targeted at reducing the inflammation in the lungs and preventing further permanent scarring. Our scientists and doctors study the inflammatory cells to better understand how they are involved in the progressive scarring of the lungs. In addition, clinical testing is used to help us better predict the stage of disease and the rate of progression in advising patients for drug therapy.