Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Our pulmonologists offer the expert care you need to live well—and live longer—with interstitial lung disease.

For Lung Services related requests:

For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

Many conditions that cause lung inflammation and scarring (known collectively as interstitial lung disease, or ILD) were once considered untreatable.

However, recent treatment breakthroughs can help extend both the length and quality of your life. This is especially true if you’re diagnosed accurately—and early—by a pulmonologist who specializes in ILD.

Experts from University of Iowa Health Care have experience identifying and treating all types of ILD. This includes types that are idiopathic (no known cause) and those caused by:

Connective tissue disorders (such as scleroderma) that can affect the lungs
Exposure to harmful materials, such as asbestos or silica
Exposure to certain allergens, including mold, fungi, or bird droppings
Smoking
Medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy

No matter what type of ILD you have, we can help. We offer treatments that can help improve your symptoms and slow disease progression.

Iowa’s leader in interstitial lung disease care

Sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other types of ILD are uncommon. Many general pulmonologists only see a handful of people with ILD every year.

These conditions are also hard to diagnose and require a multidisciplinary approach to management.

But UI Health Care is home to pulmonologists who focus solely on ILD. For us, caring for people with ILD isn’t rare—it’s routine.

A higher level of expertise

Our ILD specialists have the experience it takes to:

Distinguish between different interstitial lung diseases: Interstitial lung disease has some of the same symptoms as many other lung conditions. Fortunately, our pulmonologists are skilled at confirming whether you have ILD or something less serious. We can also pinpoint the specific type of ILD you have.
Match the right treatment to the right patient: There are now more medications for ILD than ever before—and many more are in development. But they must be carefully prescribed and closely monitored. Fortunately, our ILD specialists have a deep understanding of these medications. They know which ones are best suited to treat different people with different types of ILD.
Treat the rarest of the rare: Because we see so many people with ILD, we’ve encountered (and treated) even the most rare or aggressive types. These include conditions like lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM disease), pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and others.

Improving ILD care through research

In addition to caring for patients, our pulmonologists also do research. They’re working to better understand what causes ILD and who is at risk. And they’re using this knowledge to improve ILD diagnosis and treatment.

For example, we collect and store biological samples—such as blood and nasal swabs—from volunteer patients with ILD to learn more about the disease.

We also conduct clinical trials to evaluate promising new ILD medications or procedures. This gives our patients the opportunity to try the latest treatments before they’re widely available.

A collaborative, comprehensive approach

At UI Heath Care, we have many different specialists with ILD experience. This means you’ll have multiple experts weighing in on your care plan.

Together, we’ll review your test results, monitor your progress, and determine the best ways to treat you. In fact, our team meets weekly to discuss treatment options for patients with complex or aggressive ILD.

Your multispecialty ILD team

In addition to your pulmonologist, who oversees your care plan, these team members include:

Thoracic surgeons who perform surgical lung biopsies (removing tissue samples from your lungs) when needed.
Pathologists who examine lung tissue under a microscope to identify features of the different ILDs.
Radiologists who specialize in chest imaging procedures and know how different types of ILD look on a CT scan.
Specialty pharmacists with expertise in ILD medications, including anti-fibrotic drugs. They can teach you about side effects or complications, and work with your health insurance provider to help obtain coverage.

Pulmonary rehabilitation specialists who can teach you exercises that strengthen your lungs and improve your breathing.
Cardiologists who specialize in pulmonary hypertension, a complication that can occur among people with ILD.
Rheumatologists who diagnose and treat connective tissue disorders such as lupus, polymyositis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. People with these conditions have a high risk of developing ILD.
Transplant teams who offer lung transplant evaluations and perform transplants for patients eligible for them.

ILD tests and treatments

Anti-fibrotic drugs
Biologics
Biopsy
Blood tests
Bronchoalveolar lavage

Bronchoscopy
Chest CT scan
Chest X-ray
Corticosteroids
Lung transplant

Oxygen therapy
Pulmonary function test
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Steroid-sparing agents

ILD conditions treated

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
Dermatomyositis-associated ILD
Desquamative interstitial pneumonia
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Eosinophilic interstitial lung disease
Erdheim-Chester disease
Goodpasture syndrome
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Lupus-associated ILD
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM disease)
Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia
Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
Polymyositis-associated ILD
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Pulmonary fibrosis
Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated ILD
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated ILD
Rosai-Dorfman disease
Sarcoidosis
Scleroderma-associated ILD
Sjögren's syndrome-associated ILD

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Durairaj

MD, MS

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Gerke

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Hagner

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Hamzeh

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Nassar

MD, MPH

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Szachowicz

MD

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Want a second opinion from an ILD expert?

We welcome consultations from people across Iowa—and beyond—who are seeking a second opinion. We can confirm your diagnosis or provide treatment recommendations.

Call 1-319-356-8133 Refer a patient Request an appointment

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)