Advanced Lung Care Solutions for Orange County
Patient Resources and Educational Support for ILD
Diagnosis and management of these conditions raise many questions. We provide accurate information necessary for patients to understand their disease and where they can find answers. Two important sources include:
Clinical Trial Screening & Referral
Our practice maintains a list of active protocols for Interstitial Lung Disease, being offered at academic centers in Southern California. We provide screening eligibility to avoid wasting time and energy in patients who do not meet entrance criteria. For potential subject s we initiate the referral and discuss candidate suitability with academic investigators prior to having patients travel to the site.
Lung Transplantation Referral
For patients with severe progressive disease, lung transplantation becomes the only treatment option remaining. We help patients understand the timing and appropriateness of transplant and help guide them through this difficult process. To make a referral or for questions regarding our programs please contact us.
Interstitial Lung Disease
The interstitial lung diseases (ILD) comprise a family of over 200 related diseases. Some examples include:
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- Rheumatologic Diseases (Including SLE, Scleroderma and Rheumatoid)
- Drug Toxicity
- Sarcoid
- Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia (COP)
- Hypersensisitivity Pneumonitis
Accurate diagnosis and treatment is complex and challenging and in many cases delayed.
Testing
- The Chest X-Ray
- High Resolution CT Scan (HRCT)
- Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs)
- Important blood tests: (CBC with manual differential, liver panel, CPK, Aldolase, ACE, Rheumatoid Factor, ANA with Scl-70 and Anti Jo 1 antibodies, ANCA, Hypersensitivi ty Pneumonitis, panel and quantitative immunoglobulins) are used to categorize ILD.
Bronchoalveolar lavage done during bronchoscopy can help differentiate the patterns of inflammation and exclude infections. Generally, bronchoscopic biopsies are of limited value owing to the small tissue sample size. Open lung biopsy done via Video Assisted Thorascopic surgery provides the gold standard for pathologic diagnosis of ILD. We collaborate with internationally renowned pulmonary pathologists.
Treatment of ILD
Treatment decisions are not always clear cut, owing to the difficulty of precisely diagnosing the underlying condition, the toxicity of the medications and in many cases the ineffectiveness of current therapies. We help guide patients through these important considerations and collaborate with other specialists.
There is a growing pipeline of new medications that are making their way through clinical trials offering new hope for IPF patients. In October of 2014 two new drugs, Esbriet (Pirfenidone) and Ofev (Nintedanib), gained FDA approval, beginning a new era of therapy. These drugs are expensive and carefully regulated making access more difficult. Our Nurse Coordinator will work with you to help you through the process and successfully begin treatment and stay on medication.
Oxygen, Palliative Care and Medication for Cough
As mainstays of therapy, these can provide relief for shortness of breath and chronic cough. Our community based program offers a local organized approach to evaluating and treating this condition. We bring a commitment to offering the expertise, coordinating care management, providing education, and support resources needed to meet the challenges of living with this disease.
Exercise Prescriptions for ILD
Exercise in this condition can be dangerous. However, we encourage our patients to stay active and can help safely evaluate exercise capacity. Pulmonary rehab can be a safe way to improve your exercise tolerance.
Discover great information on Interstitial Lung Disease and services for the many conditions at Paloma Medical Group. Call 949-443-4303 or use our convenient Request an Appointment form. Our internal medicine patients come to us from San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano and borderng locations in South County, CA.
