“Beyond Breathless,” a documentary featuring award-winning actress, musician, and TV producer Queen Latifah and New York Yankees legend Bernie Williams – who both lost a parent to interstitial lung disease (ILD) is available on YouTube to view or share with others.
Offered by Boehringer Ingelheim, “Beyond Breathless” is the first documentary to spotlight the journey of those impacted by ILD through the real experiences of people living with rare lung diseases, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. First aired in December 2020, this film serves as a touchpoint for patients and physicians to discuss the symptoms and challenges of managing and living with ILD.
“My mom struggled with scleroderma especially after it progressed to her lungs and that made it difficult for her to breathe,” said Ms. Latifah. “Anything my mom could do to help someone else have an easier journey with their disease, she wanted to be a part of – so it’s important for me to carry on my mom’s mission. My hope is that for those living with this disease, or caring for someone they love, that they know they’re not alone in this fight.”
ILD encompass more than 200 lung disorders that can lead to pulmonary fibrosis – an irreversible scarring of lung tissue that negatively impacts lung function. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and scleroderma-associated ILD, also known as systemic sclerosis-associated ILD (SSc-ILD), are two common types of ILD. Symptoms include breathlessness and a dry, persistent cough. Patient-centered support resources including helpful videos and tools to guide people living with ILD can be found online.
“When my dad was diagnosed with IPF – a type of ILD – we had never heard of it before,” said Mr. Williams, who narrates the documentary. “I wish we had the information and resources that are now available to families facing this devastating diagnosis which is why it means so much to me to be a part of this documentary, and I know it would mean a lot to my dad.”
Because the symptoms of ILD are similar to those of other, more common respiratory conditions, it can be confused with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. For example, over 50% of IPF cases are initially misdiagnosed which is why it’s so important family physicians know the signs early. Clinical guidelines, practice checklists, and even a diagnostic video that offers the hallmark crackling lung sounds of a patient diagnosed with IPF is available online.
Boehringer Ingelheim, a leader in respiratory medicine for 100 years, is a proud Partner in Health of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. Partners in Health is an online resource that contains links to organizations that provide patient education and high-value tools to support family physicians and their care teams deliver optimal front line care.