Treatment for interstitial lung disease (ILD) focuses on relieving symptoms and slowing the progression of lung damage. As a world leader in the field, the Penn ILD and Sarcoidosis Program offers the latest therapies for ILD to help you feel better and breathe more easily.
Interstitial Lung Disease Treatment: Why Choose Penn Medicine
ILD varies from person to person, so treatment needs to be as unique as you are. The ILD team at Penn develops a personalized treatment plan based on the exact type of ILD you have and how severe it is. When you come to the Penn ILD and Sarcoidosis Program, you'll find:
- Unparalleled expertise: The specialists in our program focus on treating patients with ILD. We have deep experience in the nuances of these conditions and the best ways to treat them. At Penn, you see a team of experts with specialized training in ILD, including pulmonologists, critical care doctors, chest radiologists, thoracic surgeons and nurses. They meet regularly with a multidisciplinary team that includes chest radiologists and lung pathologists to discuss complex cases and recent advances. This helps ensure that you get the specialized care that's right for you.
- Access to new ILD treatments: As one of the world's leading ILD programs, we can offer patients the latest treatments aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. We work on your behalf to get you access to and approval for these therapies, so you can focus on healing. Your team includes a pulmonologist, pharmacist, nurse practitioner and nurses who have experience with these medications. They design a personalized treatment plan and monitor for and treat potential side effects.
- Innovative research: Our team conducts ongoing research into the causes of ILD and the best ways to treat it. Our involvement in clinical trials means we're able to offer patients access to leading-edge treatments still in development.
- Personal attention: We understand that ILD can affect the whole family. We're committed to making sure you and your family understand ILD and your treatment options. We are always available to answer your questions, and we welcome your loved ones at all discussions, in person or via telemedicine.
- Supportive services: At Penn, you're surrounded by support. Support groups and smoking cessation programs help you live better with ILD. Our social workers help you access any services you might need. Palliative care experts help you manage symptoms of ILD and feel your best.
- Close collaboration with your local doctors: We believe in a shared model of care. We work with your local physician or pulmonologist to give you the best access to our experts and the convenience of care close to home.
How Is Interstitial Lung Disease Treated?
Treatment can often-times help improve or slow down the progression of ILD. The choice of treatment may not be straight forward. We will discuss your options with you and what you can expect from potential treatments.
The main goals of treatment are to:
- Slow disease progression and improve lung function when possible
- Treat underlying causes of lung damage
- Reduce inflammation in the lungs and slow down scarring
- Minimize symptoms so you can do more of the things you love
Your treatment will depend on the type of ILD you have and how severe your symptoms are. Your care team will use information from your ILD diagnosis, including imaging and biopsy results, to make a treatment plan that's right for you.
Novel Treatments to Slow Disease
ILD with no known cause is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). If you have IPF, your doctor may recommend one of two drugs that slow down certain types of scarring: pirfenidone (Esbriet®) and nintedanib (Ofev®).
If your doctor prescribes pirfenidone or nintedanib, you will have regular bloodwork to monitor your liver function.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is exercise in a safe environment designed to reduce ILD symptoms, increase lung function and improve quality of life.
Our on-site pulmonary rehabilitation centers are staffed by respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and dieticians with in-depth experience helping patients with ILD. We can also help connect you to pulmonary rehabilitation facilities closer to you.
This specialized rehabilitation can show you:
- How to use oxygen supplementation
- Methods to conserve energy doing everyday activities, including your setup at home
- Safe ways to exercise
- Techniques to relax when you have trouble breathing
- Tips to improve your nutrition, which will boost health and energy levels
- Ways to breathe to improve lung efficiency
Supplemental Oxygen
Oxygen therapy gives your body extra oxygen to make breathing easier. It also protects the rest of your body from complications of low oxygen. It can improve your overall health and give you more energy.
Your team will evaluate your symptoms and lifestyle to help you decide whether you need supplemental oxygen. They'll also educate you about how to safely and effectively use and store oxygen.
Corticosteroids
Steroids are medications that can lessen inflammation in the lungs. Corticosteroid therapy is useful for some patients with ILD. However, long-term steroid use can cause other problems.
Our expert pulmonologists work with you to decide whether steroids are the right choice for you. We have extensive experience using "steroid-sparing" medications that can control inflammation without the use of steroids.
Lung Transplant
Some people with advanced ILD may need a lung transplant. The Penn Lung Transplant Program is among the best in the world.
We introduce patients to the transplant team imminently, long before a transplant is needed. This helps teach you about the process slowly so that you know what to expect. It also helps the transplant team identify any issues that need to be addressed before a transplant, such as losing weight or establishing a support system.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.