Understanding ILD

Interstitial Lung Disease refers to a large group of lung disorders that cause inflammation or scarring in the lung tissue.

The term “interstitial” refers to the area that surrounds the airsacs (alveoli) of the lung. This interstitial space is where the oxygen that you breathe in moves across the wall of the alveoli and into the small blood vessels (capillaries). Once the oxygen crosses this alveolar-capillary membrane into the blood stream, it is delivered to your brain, muscles, kidneys, and other vital organs. The interstitial space around the alveoli can become inflamed, thickened or scarred because of a variety of insults or reactions in the lungs.