Pulmonary fibrosis is one in a class of interstitial lung diseases that cause scarring in the lung tissue. This scarring eventually makes breathing difficult in an individual, which is accompanied by a chronic cough. Lung diseases can be severe and lead to serious health complications so knowing the essential facts associated with pulmonary fibrosis is critical.
#1 Pulmonary Fibrosis Is Hard to Diagnose
In most cases, pulmonary fibrosis is identified as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis because the cause of the condition cannot be pinned down. This is because many lung conditions–nearly 200–result in the appearance of similar symptoms.
#2 Pulmonary Fibrosis Affects the Function of the Lungs
When someone develops pulmonary fibrosis, the scar tissue ultimately blocks the air sacs in the lungs, which restricts the transportation of oxygen into your bloodstream. The scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue coupled with low oxygen levels in the blood then cause the two primary symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis: shortness of breath and a chronic cough.
#3 Environmental Factors Can Cause Pulmonary Fibrosis
Some occupations where exposure to toxic chemicals and pollutants like asbestos, silica, and coal increase the risk of pulmonary fibrosis. Certain medications like antibiotics, heart medications, and chemotherapy drugs, as well as radiation therapy, can also result in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
#4 Pulmonary Fibrosis Can Also Be Genetic
Some types of pulmonary fibrosis run in families. In fact, up to 15% of those with pulmonary fibrosis develop the disease to a genetic predisposition.
#5 The Number of People with Pulmonary Fibrosis Is on the Rise
There are currently over 500,000 individuals with pulmonary fibrosis in America alone, and the number of people getting a pulmonary diagnosis per year is increasing steadily. Prolonged human life expectancy is one of the reasons more people develop the condition nowadays.
#6 Lifestyle Changes Are Vital to Managing Pulmonary Fibrosis
There are many treatment options to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis symptoms, but your lifestyle modifications are needed in addition to traditional treatment methods. Avoiding smoking, regularly exercising, having a healthy diet, and following your doctor’s instructions are vital to improving the quality of life.
#7 Pulmonary Fibrosis Damage Cannot Be Repaired
Once the scarring occurs, there is no reversing it. The only option is treatments to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Currently, the only treatment closest to a cure is lung transplantation, but it requires eligibility and involves a waitlist and a set of risks and complications.
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