Pulmonary fibrosis refers to the scarring of the lung tissue. However, just as any lung condition, pulmonary fibrosis entails much more than physical damage to the lungs.
Pulmonary fibrosis is also a member of a family of many lung diseases that exhibit similar symptoms. These conditions are under the umbrella term of interstitial lung diseases. Some interstitial lung diseases do not cause scarring, but when there is scar tissue involved, it is pulmonary fibrosis.
The Development and Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis
When an individual develops pulmonary fibrosis, the scarring eventually obstructs the air sacs in the lungs, which limits the transportation of oxygen into your bloodstream. The scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue combined with low oxygen levels in the blood then result in two primary symptoms of shortness of breath and a chronic cough.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Symptoms
Pulmonary fibrosis can be difficult to pin down because many lung diseases cause scar tissue and similar symptoms.
The most common pulmonary fibrosis symptoms are a chronic cough and shortness of breath. The severity of symptoms varies for everyone as well as the rate at which the disease progresses.
Pulmonary fibrosis is also known to cause “clubbing” of the fingers and toes where fingertips and toenails begin to change in appearance. The nails may become wider and rounder; the nails may start to curve downward, and there may be an increase in the angle between the nails and cuticles.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Risk Factors
– Certain autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
– Occupational hazards – chemical toxins and pollutants like asbestos, coal, hard metal, and silica.
– Genetics
– Certain medications like amiodarone (heart disease), (cancer), radiation therapy drugs, and antibiotics like nitrofurantoin.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
Many types of interstitial lung diseases–over 200–cause pulmonary fibrosis or scarring in the lung tissue. Correct diagnosis is critical but so difficult that many people get an incorrect idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis. It is highly recommended that individuals who are at an increased risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis due to genetics, medications, occupational hazards, and have a pre-existing autoimmune disease get screened regularly.
There are pulmonary function tests, blood tests, bronchoscopy, pulse oximetry, exercise testing, and more for your doctor determine whether you have pulmonary fibrosis.
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