A Road Map To Help Guide Your Search for Answers
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The search for answers about your lung health can be long, but in this guide, you’ll find a collection of information that may be useful to help you move forward and:
We hope you find this guide helpful. And remember, LungsandYou.com
is always available for additional support. Additionally, be sure to talk with your
healthcare provider
(HCP) about any concerns regarding your health.
Assisting you in your search for answers,
Keep in mind, Lungs&You® does not provide medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider if you have specific questions about your health.
Together, We’ll Find a Path Forward
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Could You Be at Risk of Developing ILD?
Could Your Symptoms Be Signs of ILD?
The Road Ahead
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ILD Fast Facts
As you search for answers about your
health and begin to learn about
interstitial lung disease (ILD), there are some important things to keep in mind. Here are some key facts about ILD.
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ILD is tough to recognize
Its symptoms, like a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue, are similar to symptoms of more common conditions. Ruling out those conditions may cause a delay in diagnosing ILD.
It can be caused by many known factors, like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, and exposure to harmful substances, as well as many unknown factors.
ILD may lead to scarring of the lungs called pulmonary fibrosis. This scarring may worsen (progress) over time, which is why it’s important to diagnose ILD properly.
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ILD has many different causes
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Correctly diagnosing ILD is important
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Could You Be
at Risk of
Developing ILD?
It’s important to be aware of any factors that could increase your risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD). Read more about some common causes of ILD* below.
Some common causes of ILD:
*Please note, this list does not include all possible causes of ILD.
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When there is no known cause, a disease is called idiopathic. There are different types of idiopathic ILD, including:
What if the cause of ILD is unknown?
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Could Your
Symptoms Be Signs
of ILD?
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can cause many symptoms that just don’t seem to go away. These symptoms may be similar to those of more common conditions, making it easy to confuse ILD for other diseases. Use this chart to see if what you’re experiencing could be signs of ILD, some other respiratory condition, or both.
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Please note, while these are some of the more common symptoms of these conditions, every person’s experience is unique. You should consult a healthcare professional (HCP) if you experience any of these symptoms.
Additionally, these are not all the possible symptoms that a person with ILD could experience, and the presence of symptoms does not necessarily mean you have ILD.
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ILD
Clubbing of the fingertips or toes
Cough with phlegm or mucus
Dry cough
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Symptoms worsen or occur at night
Wheezing
Asthma
COPD
Congestive Heart Failure
Talk with your HCP if you experience any of these symptoms.
Encouragement From
People Like You
If you’re wondering if you could have interstitial lung disease
(ILD), it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider (HCP) and advocate for
yourself to find the answers you need. But it can be challenging to know how to be an
advocate—what to
do and what to say. Below are tips inspired by people who
have
walked this path before you.
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Don’t ignore ILD warning signs.
“I was convinced it was still just a cold … months passed. I found I’d actually gotten used to the
coughing … when I’d reached more than six months of this cough, my family urged me to see a doctor.”
Kay B., living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a
common type of ILD
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Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, and if you need to see a lung specialist, called a pulmonologist.
“My pulmonologist made sure to account for everything he could … he was relentless, and that’s exactly the kind of care I needed. Not long after that visit, he was able to piece everything together and provide a diagnosis.”
Charles B., living with
scleroderma-associated ILD
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Trust your intuition.
“Don’t let anybody tell you that what you’re feeling isn’t
happening or isn’t real … if it feels like something is wrong, don’t take no for an answer. I didn’t.”
Kheesa J., living with
scleroderma-associated ILD
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Take a loved one to your appointments.
“It’s important to have people who support you and can advocate for you when you can’t advocate for yourself. To this day, I never go to a medical appointment alone.
My husband or my kids
or a friend will go with
me to be a second
set of ears.”
Eureka, living
with scleroderma-
associated ILD
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Top 3 From Lungs&You
Support doesn’t end here. LungsandYou.com is available anytime for those seeking answers.
Here are some resources about interstitial lung disease (ILD) that others have found helpful:
Get the facts on ILD, including its symptoms, causes, and more.
Find lung specialists, called pulmonologists, in your area.
Use this tool to alert your pulmonologist to signs of ILD or help another type of healthcare provider determine if a referral to a pulmonologist is needed.
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Help Is Just a Phone Call Away
You don’t have to walk this journey alone—there’s a group of people who are here for you. All you need to do is give them a call.
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1-844-473-2638
Monday – Friday,
9 am – 6 pm ET
Contact the Lungs&You® Call Center for Support
Lungs&You® does not provide medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider if you have specific questions about your health.
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