Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a large group of over 200 chronic conditions that cause inflammation, stiffness, and progressive scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) in the tissue surrounding the air sacs in the lungs. ILD affects the body though many ways. For example, it damages the interstitium which is the supportive tissue network around the alveoli and surrounding the blood vessels used for gaseous exchange. Scar tissue left on the lungs leaves the tissue thickened and stiff, making gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide increasingly difficult. The most common cause of ILD is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in which scarring in the lungs occurs for no known reason, but it can also be caused by inhaling harmful chemicals and dust constantly. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, particularly in exercise, a persistent dry cough, extreme fatigue and muscle weakness.
While there is currently no cure for ILD, going about everyday life can be made easier by treating symptoms using physiotherapy. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a key physiotherapy-based intervention for people with chronic respiratory conditions. It combines individually prescribed exercise with education and support to help patients manage breathlessness and improve their physical function, overall improving their quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation involves a physiotherapist creating a specialist plan for a patient involving aerobic and resistance training to strengthen respiratory muscles, making gaseous exchange system easier meaning a patient can exercise without the immediate feeling of breathlessness. This type of rehabilitation also can help a patient avoid muscle weakening that occurs when patients are hesitant to exercise out of fear of making the condition worse. A physiotherapist can ease a patient’s concerns by evaluating them and deciding the intensity and duration of exercise that would be suitable for them depending on factors like age and pre-existing fitness levels.
Physiotherapy can also teach a patient breathing techniques to help them combat periods of breathlessness. This can be done by teaching controlled patterns and pacing methods to help a patient return a patient to a regular breathing rate. Physiotherapists can also help patients plan their daily tasks into smaller parts to reduce the effects of muscle fatigue and keep to their normal daily routine. Finally, patients can also be taught non- pharmaceutical methods to help reduce symptoms of IDL like posture advice to stop constant coughing, overall improving a patient’s quality of life.
Overall, while physiotherapy cannot cure IDL, it can help improve a patient’s quality of life who has to live with the condition.
Should you want some professional input to manage your symptoms please do not hesitate to contact us on 01245 377118.
Written by Molly Brown
Student of CCHSG Sixth Form
