pic
Barry J Weinberg, MD

Pulmonary Medicine

Our Services / Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial Lung Disease services offered in Upper East Side, New York, NY

Interstitial lung disease is a term for disorders that cause scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs. At his New York City practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, experienced pulmonologist Barry J Weinberg, MD, uses state-of-the-art lung function testing technology to evaluate your symptoms and determine their cause. With his expert help, you can manage your interstitial lung disease and enjoy a better quality of life. To find out more, call the office of Barry J Weinberg, MD, today or book an appointment online.

Interstitial Lung Disease Q & A

What is interstitial lung disease?

Interstitial lung disease isn’t a single condition. The term covers many disorders that cause progressive scarring of the lung tissue. These scars adversely affect your lung function and limit the volume of oxygen you can absorb.

Most types of interstitial lung disease cause shortness of breath when you’re resting, which worsens if you exercise. A dry cough is another common symptom. 

 

What might cause interstitial lung disease?

There are many potential causes of interstitial lung disease. Some common ones include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Arrhythmia medications
  • Some antibiotics
  • Certain anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Prolonged exposure to toxins
  • Silica dust
  • Bird and animal droppings
  • Radiation treatments
  • Chemotherapy drugs

Some people who develop interstitial lung disease don’t have an identifiable cause. These conditions are called idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The most serious of these is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

 

How is interstitial lung disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing interstitial lung disease can be challenging, as your symptoms could be due to many other conditions. Dr. Weinberg performs a thorough physical exam before selecting the most appropriate diagnostic tests and procedures. These might include:

  • Blood tests
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Oximetry
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
  • Echocardiogram
  • Lung tissue analysis (biopsy)

Dr. Weinberg might recommend a biopsy of the lung to diagnose interstitial lung disease. A bronchoscope (a slender, flexible instrument that goes down your windpipe into your lungs) is used to extract a small lung tissue sample for laboratory analysis.

 

How is interstitial lung disease treated?

The scarring caused by interstitial lung disease is typically incurable, and the disease continues to worsen over time. However, Dr. Weinberg offers a range of therapies that reduce your symptoms, slow the disease’s progression and improve your quality of life.

The personalized treatment plan that Dr. Weinberg creates for you could include treatments such as:

  • Steroid medications
  • Drugs like pirfenidone or nintedanib
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation

If you develop interstitial lung disease symptoms or you’re looking for better treatments, call Barry J Weinberg, MD, today or book an appointment online.