Managing Your Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Air Pollution and ILD Webinar

In this webinar, Dr Kelly Chen, Respiratory and Sleep Physician, and Susanne Webster, ILD Nurse Consultant, share information and tips to help you manage your interstitial lung disease (ILD). The webinar covers general self-management techniques including ways to help manage fatigue, unintended weight loss and remaining in the workforce with ILD. The webinar also explores air pollution and ILD and how best to protect your lung health.  

The webinar explores how air pollution is associated with lung disease, particularly for individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD) by exposing them to harmful airborne particles such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. These pollutants, commonly sourced from vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and fossil fuel combustion, are known to aggravate conditions like COPD, asthma, lung cancer, and ILD. Recent studies have revealed how PM2.5 particles, due to their microscopic size, can travel deep into the lungs where most ILD pathology occurs. Using air quality monitoring tools is increasingly vital for those at risk, with precautions like staying indoors during poor air days and using N95 masks offering protection.  

The webinar provides information on a range of self-management tools to help in the management of ILD. ILD patients often experience fatigue, both physical and mental, exacerbated by disease progression and certain medications. Pulmonary rehabilitation supports improved exercise capacity and breathlessness management.  

Unintended weight loss can occur as a result of your interstitial lung disease or treatment, and should always be discussed with your GP. This is not something that you should ignore and your GP is the one that can investigate your weight loss. Maintaining nutrition and calorie intake is crucial, and patients should consult their GP or dietitian to address underlying causes and preserve quality of life.  

The webinar also provides support for individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD) to remain in the workplace through the promotion of wellbeing and self-management. By discussing flexible schedules, remote work, and workplace safety, ILD patients can navigate challenges like fatigue, winter illness, and commuting risks.