See Also: interstitial lung disease(medicine)
apical interstitial lung disease(medicine)
basilar interstitial lung disease(medicine)
interstitial lung disease with increased volume(medicine)
lung diseases, interstitial(medicine)
interstitial disease(medicine)
asbestos lung disease(medicine)
obstructive lung disease(medicine)
occupational lung disease(medicine)
lung fluke disease(medicine)

interstitial lung disease (medicine)


interstitial lung disease
<chest medicine> A group of lung disorders which result in scarring and dysfunction of the alveolus (air sac) in the lung. This results in poor oxygen diffusion from the air into the bloodstream. Widespread inflammation in the lung leads to fibrosis (scarring).

Causes include chronic exposure to organic and inorganic dusts, fumes, vapors, radiation, medications and certain lung infections.

Examples include asbestosis, silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and diffuse interstitial fibrosis. Smoking increases the risk in all cases.