Interstitial Lung Disease Treatment in India

Ayaan Gupta, a 58-year-old former construction...

Ayaan Gupta, a 58-year-old former construction manager, spent decades working with insulation materials. A non-smoker, he began noticing a persistent dry cough and increasing shortness of breath two years ago, initially dismissing it as aging. When climbing a single flight of stairs left him gasping, he sought help. His primary doctor heard 'Velcro-like' crackles in his lungs and referred him to a pulmonologist. After a high-resolution CT scan showed a pattern suggestive of asbestosis, a form of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), the pulmonologist recommended a surgical lung biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, crucial for guiding treatment. Ayaan underwent a VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) procedure. The recovery in the hospital was painful, and he struggled with the chest tube. The biopsy confirmed asbestosis. Post-procedure, while his physical recovery took weeks, the emotional burden was heavier. He grappled with anger towards past employers and fear for his future. However, the confirmed diagnosis allowed his team to start him on antifibrotic medication (pirfenidone) and pulmonary rehabilitation. A year later, while his lung function has declined slightly, the rate has slowed significantly. He has found a new rhythm, using supplemental oxygen for activities, and has joined a patient support group. The journey moved from anger and fear to a determined, if bittersweet, acceptance, giving him a sense of control over managing his condition.