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Welcome to the Patient and Visitor Guide to the Emory Center for the Study and Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease. We hope that the following information will help walk you through the process of visiting and using our center and living with Interstitial Lung Disease .
Make and Appointment
Treatment
Medication
Support Groups
Education
Make an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, call (404) 778 - 3261, and ask to make an appointment in the Pulmonary ILD Clinic.
What to Bring For Your Appointment (if available)
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Medical records that include your medical history and physical examinations
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Laboratory blood test results
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Pulmonary Function Test Reports
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Any X-ray or CT Scan reports. The X-ray or CT Scan film will be best. Most hospitals and doctor's offices can provide copies.
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Tissue biopsy reports and the tissue biospy slides. These can be obtained from the pathology department of the medical facility in which the biopsy was done.
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List of medications
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Work history questionnaire that will be sent to you prior to your appointment with us.
What Can You Expect at Your First Visit?The doctor will review all your medical records and x-rays. In addition, the doctor will need to obtain some tests if these have not already been done. These include a chest x-ray, pulmonary function test, and blood tests. These tests can be done the same day as your visit. It may be necessary to obtain additional tests that would need to be scheduled on another day. A list of these additional tests and procedures are explained under the Procedures Section.
Treatment
Treatment for ILD is aimed at stopping the inflammation and scarring that damages the lungs. For ILD caused by environmental exposures, the substance is removed or the patient is instructed how to avoid the exposure.
Therapies commonly used to treat ILD include the following:
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To increase muscle strength
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To learn useful breathing techniques
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To obtain and maintain appropriate body weight
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Oxygen
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Supplemental oxygen is important because it provides your body's organs (like your heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys) with the oxygen it needs during exercise or other activities of daily living. You may find that you feel less tired during periods of exercise or after waking from sleep.
Medication
Immunosuppressant Medications
These medications are given to decrease the body's response to injury and inflammation.
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Anti-fibrotic Medications
Advances in basic research have led to several novel therapies that are currently under investigation to treat or slow down the progression of fibrosis in the lungs.
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Osteoporosis
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Support Groups
Meets the last Thursday of every month March through October
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Place: Atlanta VA Medical Center
Room GC 302
1670 Clairmont Road
Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: (404) 321 - 6111, extension 7487
Support groups provide opportunities for patients to learn about their disease, available treatments, procedures, and any ongoing research. This acquisition of knowledge assists patients with necessary decision-making when faced with a chronic, progressive disease. Lifestyle changes eventually have to be made. Some individuals are no longer able to work in the same job capacity. Adjustments in the home may have to be made to accommodate an individual?s decreased exercise level or to accommodate medical equipment like oxygen. There is a higher incidence of depression in individuals with chronic illness. Support groups provide emotional support and valuable information about the many issues facing people with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Education provided by invited speakers equips the individual with ways that he or she can improve or maintain their quality of life.
At the Emory Center for the Treatment and Study of Interstitial Lung Disease, we are offering you, your family and friends the opportunity to participate in a Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group that will provide educational topics. This support group will have its first session on March 27, 2003 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Room G302 (ground level), 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA. The educational topic will be, Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Thereafter, the group will meet the last Thursday of every month from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM March through October in the same room. We will take off the holiday and cold winter months. Complimentary Valet parking is provided. So mark your calendars now and join us in this exciting venture in our ongoing efforts to educate patients and their families about pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group Schedule:
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March 27, 2003 Pulmonary Rehabilitation
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April 24, 2003 Nutrition in Osteoporosis
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May 29, 2003
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June 26, 2003
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July 31, 2003
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August 28, 2003
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September 25, 2003
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October 30, 2003
Education
The ILD Center is charged with the development of new and effective educational tools to spread knowledge about ILD to trainees, physicians, patients, and patients' families. With the assistance of the Emory Information Technology Office and others, our Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Tamra Perez, is busy developing such tools.
Get WILD! This is the official Emory ILD Center Newsletter published quarterly and mailed to patients seen in our center. It contains information for our patients about the various interstitial lung diseases, including information about new treatments and studies for ILD. If you would like to receive a complimentary subscription to this newsletter, please send a postcard with your mailing information to:
Tamra Perez
The Emory Clinic, Bldg A 4314
1365 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
or send an email to: Tamra_Perez@emoryhealthcare.org
Click here to view the latest edition of Get WILD!
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