About interstitial lung disease

       Interstitial lung disease is a large group of diseases that accumulate to the interstitial space of the lungs due to numerous kinds of factors, thus interstitial lung disease belongs to a broader concept, caused by environmental, bacterial, viral, occupational exposure, connective tissue diseases, etc. The end result of the development of interstitial lung disease is pulmonary fibrosis. Clinical manifestations are mainly cough with no known cause and dyspnea after exercise. Interstitial changes appear on HRCT of the lungs.       The treatment of interstitial lung disease varies depending on the cause, some of which may resolve spontaneously. In most cases, hormonal therapy is used. The efficacy of treatment decreases after the onset of fibrosis, and in cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hormonal therapy is not recommended.       Rehabilitation therapy for interstitial lung disease has gained importance in recent years and is particularly suitable for those who develop pulmonary fibrosis. Dyspnea can be improved by exercising the skeletal muscles.       Infection can easily induce acute attacks of interstitial lung disease, and the treatment is poor after acute attacks. Therefore, proper exercise and rehabilitation can help the disease itself and prevent infections.