Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Erin Popovich logo

The Erin Popovich story

Erin Popovich struggled with ILD for 10 years. Throughout her illness, she never complained. Erin cared only about helping others, wanting to use all of her energy to advocate for patients that may have been less fortunate than her. In that spirit, her family is now dedicated to carrying on her legacy through the Erin Popovich Endowment. The Endowment provides the tools patients need to continue living life to the fullest after they’ve been diagnosed with ILD.


What is interstitial lung disease?

Also known as ILD, it is a group of diseases that cause lung inflammation and/or permanent scars (fibrosis).

The ILD Family Tree shows how different types of ILD are similar or different. Visit the ILD library below for information about specific diseases on the ILD Family Tree.

ILD Family Tree
Erin Popovich logo

The Erin Popovich story

Erin Popovich struggled with ILD for 10 years. Throughout her illness, she never complained. Erin cared only about helping others, wanting to use all of her energy to advocate for patients that may have been less fortunate than her. In that spirit, her family is now dedicated to carrying on her legacy through the Erin Popovich Endowment. The Endowment provides the tools patients need to continue living life to the fullest after they’ve been diagnosed with ILD.


What is interstitial lung disease?

Also known as ILD, it is a group of diseases that cause lung inflammation and/or permanent scars (fibrosis).

The ILD Family Tree shows how different types of ILD are similar or different. Visit the ILD library below for information about specific diseases on the ILD Family Tree.

ILD Family Tree

APPROXIMATELY 400,000 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES LIVE WITH ILD TODAY
APPROXIMATELY 400,000 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES LIVE WITH ILD TODAY

ILD symptoms

Shortness of breath is a common symptom, but ILD symptoms could also point to other conditions:

A dry cough is very common for people with ILD, but it could also point to:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Postnasal drip (mucus builds up and drips down behind the nose and throat) 
  • Acid reflux 

How ILD develops

When you have ILD, your lung tissue becomes inflamed. Over time, that inflammation can cause fibrosis. This scarring causes changes in the small air pockets in your lungs, called alveoli. Alveoli thicken, lose their normal shape, and become stiff.

It becomes hard for your lungs to work and get oxygen into your blood. Low blood oxygen levels may:

  • Cause shortness of breath and tiredness
  • Reduce the function of your organs
  • Make it hard to maintain your quality of life

Diagnosing and treating ILD

Diagnosing ILD image

Diagnosing and Treating ILD

Effective treatments can help you manage your health. Supplemental oxygen therapy can help you stay active and strong. That’s why it’s important to see a lung doctor early. Learn more about ILD diagnosis and treatments.

It’s important to determine the cause of ILD (if there is one). This helps your healthcare team provide the best treatment for you. Learn more about ILD types and causes.

ILD SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO OTHER LUNG DISEASES, SO HALF OF ALL CASES ARE INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED
ILD SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO OTHER LUNG DISEASES, SO HALF OF ALL CASES ARE INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED

ILD library

Pneumoconioses

Asbestosis
Beryliosis
Silcosis

Collagen Vascular Disease

Polymyositis dermatomyositis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
Sjögren’s syndrome

Drug Toxicity (Medication)

Amiodarone
Chemotherapy
Methotrexate
Nitrofurantoin

Rare Causes

Amyloidosis
Eosinophilic pneumonia
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Vasculitis

Idiopathic ILD (No Known Cause)

Acute/Subacute:
Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP)
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP)

Chronic Fibrosing

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)

Rare Idiopathic ILD

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP)
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE)

Smoking-Related ILD

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)
Pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH)
Respiratory bronchiolitis-ILD (RBILD)
Related to vaping or inhaling marijuana-like substances 

Pneumoconioses

Asbestosis
Beryliosis
Silcosis

Granulomatous

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Sarcoidosis

Rare Causes

Amyloidosis
Eosinophilic pneumonia Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Vasculitis

Idiopathic ILD
(No Known Cause)

Acute/Subacute:
Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP)
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP)
Chronic Fibrosing:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)

Rare Idiopathic ILD

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP)
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE)

Smoking-Related ILD

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)
Pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH)
Respiratory bronchiolitis-ILD (RBILD)

Pneumoconioses

Asbestosis
Beryliosis
Silcosis

Granulomatous

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Sarcoidosis

Collagen Vascular Disease

Polymyositis dermatomyositis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
Sjögren’s syndrome

Drug Toxicity (Medication)

Amiodarone
Chemotherapy
Methotrexate
Nitrofurantoin

Rare Causes

Amyloidosis
Eosinophilic pneumonia Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Vasculitis

Idiopathic ILD
(No Known Cause)

Acute/Subacute:
Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP)
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP)
Chronic Fibrosing:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)

Rare Idiopathic ILD

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP)
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE)

Smoking-Related ILD

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)
Pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH)
Respiratory bronchiolitis-ILD (RBILD)

“Living with Interstitial Lung Disease” patient education guide

This 52-page guide explores every facet of ILD that you may encounter, from diagnosis and treatment to support and myths. With the most up-to-date information available, this guide will help you and your loved ones feel confident when making decisions about your diagnosis.

ILD Patient Guide