Best 10 Natural Treatments for Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease is more than one disease. This is a term which is describing more than 200 different lung disorders that all affect the tissues and spaces around the alveoli in the lungs, called the interstitium. The most common symptoms of interstitial lung disease include chest pains; unintended weight loss; dry, chronic coughs; trouble breathing and shortness of breath; achy joints or muscles;

depending on the underlying causes for this condition, you can develop a fever or signs of an allergic reaction; swelling in your lower legs; headaches; difficulty sleeping; fluid buildup in the lungs, caused by fluids and water collecting the air sacs of the lungs; fingertips and toes get wider and rounder at the ends.

The most common causes for interstitial lung disease are genetic abnormalities, exposure to toxins or agents that damage the lungs, and conditions that affect other parts of the body (like autoimmune diseases that affect the blood vessels or collagen that forms connective tissue). People, who are between 40 and 70, have increased chances of getting interstitial lung disease.

You need to know that there is no cure for interstitial lung disease, but the home remedies aim to reduce the severity of symptoms. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from interstitial lung disease before you use some of the below-mentioned home remedies, so in this way, you will avoid any side effects. Here are some natural cures for interstitial lung disease:

Natural Treatments for Interstitial Lung Disease:

Eat Well

Those people who have interstitial lung disease may lose weight because it is uncomfortable for them to eat and because they have to take extra energy to breathe. These people need to eat a nutritionally rich diet, which contains adequate calories. You need to talk with your dietitian, so he or she can give you further guidelines for healthy eating.

Stop Smoking

If you suffer from interstitial lung disease, then the best thing which you should do is to stop smoking. You need to talk with your doctor about options for quitting, such as smoking cessation programs, which are using different proven techniques to help people quit. Also, secondhand smoke can be harmful to your lungs, so you should not allow people to smoke around you.

Get Enough Sleep

It can be difficult to deal with interstitial lung disease, so you need to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep can support your immune system and it can help you to manage stress.

Lean Protein

You need to add a lot of lean protein to your diets, such as poultry, pastured eggs, grass-fed meat, and fish.

Probiotic Foods

You need to add probiotic foods to your diet to help you deal with the symptoms of interstitial lung disease. Some of the best probiotic foods are kefir, yogurt, and cultured veggies.

Avoid Refined and Processed Foods

If you suffer from interstitial lung disease, then you need to avoid refined and processed foods, such as fast food, fried foods, and foods that are made with refined grains, hydrogenated fats, and added sugar.

Avoid Allergens

If your interstitial lung disease is caused by some autoimmune disease or allergies, then you can eat the elimination diet and you need to avoid common allergens, like shellfish, peanuts, dairy, and gluten.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Exercise

Pulmonary rehabilitation is including many different therapy approaches which can help to improve the daily functioning and the well–being of people who suffer from interstitial lung disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation can include emotional support, nutritional support, occupational therapy to make every activity easier, an exercise program that is safe and appropriate (usually including both aerobic and strength training), exercises that can improve lung function, and physical therapy.

It is very important to stay active, such as by working with a physical therapist or personal trainer who has knowledge of interstitial lung disease. This is very important for supporting the lungs, cardiovascular system, and immune system. When you are not active, then this can make pain, swelling, stiffness, and shortness of breath worse.

You need to talk with your doctor about safe ways for staying active, such as doing yoga or tai chi, cycling, swimming, and walking outdoors. You should aim for twenty to thirty minutes of moderate exercise (you can make a slow jog or a brisk walk) on a daily basis if it is possible.

Stay Hydrated

If you do not know, your lungs are 83% water. You need to drink a lot of fluids to prevent coughs and dehydration which are associated with fever, as well as with gastrointestinal issues. You need to drink water at most, but you can also drink herbal teas, vegetable juices, and herbal infusions.

Use a Humidifier

You can use a humidifier in your home, so you will reduce the persistent coughs and you will breathe moist and warm air. Also, this can help to soothe your airways, improve lung function and calm a sore throat.

Cold Compress or Ice Pack

You can apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a towel to your head or chest if the symptoms of interstitial lung disease are pain, nausea, and fever.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

You can apply eucalyptus essential oil topically to your throat, neck, temples, and chest if you suffer from interstitial lung disease. The vapors can help you to get relief from headaches, reduce the lingering cough and open your airways.

Rest

When you deal with interstitial lung disease, you need to rest, so your body will heal faster.

Avoid Exposure to Agents

You need to avoid exposure to toxic agents, like pesticides and asbestos. Also, you need to avoid exposure to agents which can cause you allergy and hypersensitivity, such as mold and dust.

Massage Therapy

This type of therapy can help to relax your body and to deal with the symptoms of interstitial lung disease in a better way. Also, massage therapy can help to promote blood flow.

Peppermint Essential Oil

This home remedy can help you with the symptoms of interstitial lung disease. It can give you relief from the pain. It can open your airways and can reduce the lingering cough. You can apply the peppermint essential oil topically to your neck, throat, chest, and temples.

Antioxidant Foods

You need to eat different fruits and vegetables, which can help to maximize the antioxidants, vitamin, mineral, and fiber intake. Some of the best choices include sea vegetables, green tea, cocoa, all types of berries, melon, cherries, mangos, citrus fruits, herbs and spices, garlic, squash, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, sweet potatoes, and all types of leafy greens.

Avoid Too Much Sitting

If you sit a lot of time, then this can make problems with your blood flow, so you need to be active as much as possible. This can help the blood to continue to flow properly.

Dandelion Tea

This natural cure can help you with the control of swelling, which is also linked with interstitial lung disease, so you can add it to your diet.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen is primarily used to reduce the complications which are associated with low blood oxygen levels, such as trouble exercising and shortness of breath. This type of therapy can help to make breathing and physical activity easier, improve your sleep and it can help to reduce the blood pressure in the right side of your heart.

Some people are using oxygen while they sleep or exercise, while other people use it all day to control the symptoms of interstitial lung disease. You need to talk with your doctor about using a pulse oximeter at home. This is a small device that is placed over your fingertip and it tells how much oxygen is in your blood and if you require more.

Reduce Consumption of High Sodium Foods

These foods can make the symptoms of interstitial lung disease worse, so you need to avoid them, Some examples include bacon, salami, ham, olive, soy sauce, and table salt. Also, many processed and packaged foods are high in sodium. You need to replace high sodium foods with eating fresh products, lean protein, and healthy fats instead.

Omega – 3 Fatty Acids

You can add Omega – 3 fatty acids to your diet because they can help you to deal with the symptoms of interstitial lung disease. Some of the best wild-caught fishes that are rich in Omega – 3 fatty acids include sardines and salmon.

References:

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/interstitial-lung-disease/.

Interstitial Lung Disease. https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/breathing-in-america/resources/chapter-10-interstitial-lung-disease.pdf.

Interstitial Lung Disease. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17809-interstitial-lung-disease. Published April 26, 2018

Interstitial Lung Disease (Interstitial Pneumonitis). https://www.medicinenet.com/interstitial_lung_disease_interstitial_pneumonia/article.htm. Published August 9, 2018