Pulmonary fibrosis belongs to a family of lung conditions that damage and scar the tissue of the lung, interfering with an individual’s breathing. Fibrosis is Latin for scarring. When pulmonary fibrosis progress and worsens, the shortness of breath the diseases causes also deteriorates.
Many factors can cause the scarring pulmonary fibrosis leads to, so doctors often are unable to definitively determine the cause of the scarring as pulmonary fibrosis so refer to the disease as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis may cause severe lung damage that cannot be reversed, alleviating symptoms and quality of life with medications and lifestyle modifications are entirely possible.
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Signs and Symptoms
– A dry cough
– A shortness of breath
– An inability to exercise due to decreased lung capacity
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Causes
– Pollutants, chemicals, and toxins (silica, asbestos)
– Certain medications (heart, chemotherapy, some anti-inflammatory, antibiotics)
– Infections and some other conditions (autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis)
– Radiation therapy
Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
Unfortunately, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment options are not aplenty. Since once the damage is done, no treatment can currently repair the scarring. However, some treatment options exist that impede the progression of the condition as well as alleviate the symptoms.
Drugs
There are two FDA-approved medications used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: and pirfenidone. Both drugs work to slow down the advancement of the disease but can cause nausea and diarrhea.
Oxygen Treatment
Oxygen therapy is not a permanent solution, but it helps people with pulmonary fibrosis breathe and exercise more comfortably. Oxygen therapy can also lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep quality, and prevent low blood oxygen levels.
Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is used to relieve patients’ symptoms to their general well-being and quality of life. A typical program includes counseling (emotional, nutritional), exercises, and education.
Lung Transplants
A lung transplant is also an option where pulmonary fibrosis is concerned. Although it comes with its own set of risks and complications, lung transplantation is the only treatment that is closest to a pulmonary fibrosis cure as it prolongs the patient’s life considerably.
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