Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

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

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

Our Care Team

Lakshmi Durairaj, MD, MS portrait

Lakshmi
Durairaj
MD, MS

  • Lung Services
4.83 out of 5 (316 ratings)
Alicia K. Gerke, MD, MBA portrait

Alicia K.
Gerke
MD, MBA

  • Lung Services
4.90 out of 5 (648 ratings)
Miles D. Hagner, MD portrait

Miles D.
Hagner
MD

  • Lung Services
4.86 out of 5 (52 ratings)
Nabeel Hamzeh, MD portrait

Nabeel
Hamzeh
MD

  • Lung Services
4.76 out of 5 (554 ratings)
Boulos (Paul) Nassar, MD, MPH portrait

Boulos (Paul)
Nassar
MD, MPH

  • Lung Services
PS

Peter
Szachowicz
MD

  • Lung Services

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

Locations and Offices

Iowa River Landing - Floor 4
Fourth Floor
1-319-467-2000
Clinic
Lobby photo of the fourth floor of Iowa River Landing
In Iowa River Landing
105 East 9th Street, Coralville, IA 52241
Clinical Trials currently in progress
Browse all clinical trials in progress

Related Health Topics

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)
January 22, 2018
PAP is a rare syndrome (a pattern of symptoms and signs) characterized by abnormal accumulation of surfactant-like material in the air sacs of the lun...
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
January 22, 2018
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is scarring in the lungs that occurs without a known cause. There is no known cure for IPF. Treatment is aimed at reliev...

Patient Stories

Caring approach, proven results
March 8, 2018
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at UIHC provides evidence-based care to patients with many types of chronic lung diseases.
Ferman Milster participates in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at UI Health Care

Awards and Recognition

World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG)
Interstitial Lung Disease
World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG)
Recognized for outstanding ILD care
We’re the only medical center in Iowa that’s earned the PFF Care Center designation by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. And our sarcoidosis program is designated a Center of Excellence by the World Association of Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG).