Interstitial lung disease - adults - discharge

You were in the hospital to treat your breathing problems that are caused by interstitial lung disease. This disease scars your lungs, which makes it hard for your body to get enough oxygen.

In the hospital, you received oxygen treatment. After you go home, you may need to keep using oxygen. Your health care provider may have given you a new medicine to treat your lungs.

After you go home, follow instructions on taking care of yourself. Use the information below as a reminder.

To build strength:

Build your strength even when you are sitting.

Ask your provider whether you need to use oxygen during your activities, and if so, how much. You may be told to keep your oxygen above 90%. You can measure this with an oximeter. This is a small device that measures your body's oxygen level.

Talk to your provider about whether you should do an exercise and conditioning program such as pulmonary rehabilitation.

Eat smaller meals more often. It might be easier to breathe when your stomach is not full. Try to eat 6 small meals a day. Do not drink a lot of liquid before eating or with your meals.

Ask your provider what foods to eat to get more energy.

Keep your lungs from becoming more damaged.

Take all the medicines that your provider prescribed for you.

Talk to your provider if you feel depressed or anxious.

Get a flu shot every year. Ask your provider if you should get a pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine.

Wash your hands often. Always wash after you go to the bathroom and when you are around people who are sick.

Stay away from crowds. Ask visitors who have colds to wear masks or to visit after they are all better.

Place items you use often in spots where you do not have to reach or bend over to get them.

Use a cart with wheels to move things around the house and kitchen. Use an electric can opener, dishwasher, and other things that will make your chores easier to do. Use cooking tools (knives, peelers, and pans) that are not heavy.

To save energy:

Never change how much oxygen is flowing in your oxygen setup without asking your provider.

Always have a back-up supply of oxygen in the home or with you when you go out. Keep the phone number of your oxygen supplier with you at all times. Learn how to use oxygen safely at home.

Your hospital provider may ask you to make a follow-up visit with:

Contact your provider if your breathing is:

Also contact your provider if:

Bartels MN, Bach JR. Rehabilitation of the patient with respiratory dysfunction. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 150.

Graney BA, Lee JS, King TE. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 90.

Raghu G, Martinez FJ. Interstitial lung disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 80.



Review Date: 5/3/2024
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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