Interstitial Lung Disease Treatment in India, ILD Treatment, Best Pulmonologist in Gurgaon, Best Lung Specialist for ILD in Gurgaon, Cost of ILD Treatment in India

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a disease in which the scarring of the lung tissue causes lack of oxygen in the body. ILD can be caused by long term exposure to materials like asbestos. Some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can also cause interstitial lung disease. Primary symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath even at rest which gets worse on exertion and dry cough.

Dr Kuldeep Kumar Chief Pulmonologist and Lung Specialist in Gurgaon Says,"Whenever an injury happens to the lung tissue, the body repairs the injury with the right amount of tissue. In ILD this repair process goes awry and the tissue around the air sacs becomes thickened. This hampers the flow of oxygen into the bloodstream." Long term exposure to toxins like asbestos, silica dust, grain dust, bird and animal droppings, radiation etc. Some drugs like the chemotherapy drugs, heart medications and antibiotics can also be the cause behind ILD. Patients who have been suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux disease are also at a higher risk for ILD apart from the occupational and smoking risks.

Complications of ILD include increase in the blood pressure in pulmonary arteries. This condition is called pulmonary hypertension. This can cause the right side of the heart to fail due to excessive workload. ILD combined with pulmonary hypertension can result in respiratory failure. The patient in respiratory failure will have severely low oxygen saturation levels which become unmanagable just like it was happening during covid times.

Diagnosis & Treatment

High Resolution CT Scan of the Lungs (HRCT - Chest) is one of the first investigation which is done to diagnose the presence of ILD. CT Scan gives very clear pictures of the lungs including the fibrosis in the lung tissue. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is done to measure the flow of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream. However confirmatory test for ILD is Lung Tissue Biopsy. The lung tissue is taken through Bronchoscopy. In this procedure, the pulmonologist uses a flexible tube which has LED Light, High Definition Camera and Biopsy instruments. This tube is inserted through the nose and slowly pushed into the lungs through the windpipe. The camera sends pictures from the inside of the lungs which are seen on the computer screen. The lung tissue which is taken during this procedure is the sent to the lab for detailed analysis.

The lung scarring that occurs in interstitial lung disease can't be reversed. The treatment will not always be effective in stopping the ultimate progression of the disease. Some treatments may improve symptoms temporarily or slow the progression of the disease. The first line of treatment for most of the patients of ILD is with corticosteriods in combination with some other drugs like immunosuppressents. This may reduce the speed of the disease and may even stabalize the condition. If ILD is accompanied or caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, then medicines are given to reduce the stomach acid. Modifications in the diet will also help the patients of GERD.

Best Doctor & Cost

Dr Kuldeep Kumar is one of the best pulmonologist when it comes to the treatment of any kind of Lung disease including Interstitial Lung Disease. Best results are acheived when you consult the doctor at an early stage. The costs associated with the treatment of ILD are in the form of consultation, diagnosis, medication and hospitalization if required. Diagnostic tests like HRCT Chest costs Rs. 5500, PFT test costs Rs. 1000 - 2500, Bronchoscopy costs Rs. 10000 - 12000. The cost of medications is not much as most of the corticosteroids used in the treatment of ILD are pretty cheap. If the disease is controlled at an early stage then the cost of treatment is quite low. However if the patient reaches the hospital at an advanced stage of ILD then hospitalization becomes mandatory. Since these patients have respiratory issues, they have to be admitted to the ICU where the cost of the treatment could be Rs. 25000 - 50000 for each day.

Dr Kuldeep Kumar is the Chief Pulmonologist and Incharge of ICU at CK Birla Hospital, Sector-51, Gurgaon. He can be consulted in the OPD for ILD treatment. The consultation fee is Rs. 1200 and the timing for consultation is from 11 am - 3 pm. Dr. Kuldeep Kumar is also available for consultation at his clinic in Sector-15 from 5 pm - 8 pm in the evening.