Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition that develops when the tissue of the lung gets injured and scarred, which affects the lungs’ function negatively. When pulmonary fibrosis advances and gets worse, the difficulty breathing associated with the disease also worsens.
Because a number of factors can lead to the pulmonary fibrosis scarring, in many cases, medical professionals are not able to determine the cause quickly, and when this happens, the disease is identified as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary fibrosis can cause significant, irreversible lung damage. Though once the damage is done, there are treatment options such as medications to improve symptoms to provide people with a better quality of life.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Signs and Symptoms
The development of pulmonary fibrosis, the symptoms, and their severity differ among patients. Symptoms appear fast and become severe in some, while the disease takes several months or even years to progress and worsen in others.
However, some common signs and symptoms associated with pulmonary fibrosis are dry coughing, shortness of breath, tiredness, sudden weight loss, and muscle and joint pain.
What Causes Pulmonary Fibrosis?
As aforementioned, pulmonary fibrosis causes the lung tissue to thicken and get scarred, which happens in and around the air sacs. This damage (scarring) limits the amount of oxygen transported into your bloodstream. There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of pulmonary fibrosis:
– Exposure to pollutants and toxic chemicals such as asbestos, coal, hard metal, etc.
– Radiation therapy
– Certain medications (antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, heart disease drugs, and some anti-inflammatory medicines)
Are You At Risk of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
– Pulmonary Fibrosis usually develops in older adults who are over the age of 50.
– Men are at a higher risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis than women
– People who smoke are at an increased danger of developing pulmonary fibrosis than those who do not.
– Pulmonary fibrosis is known to be an occupational disease, meaning those who work in industries such as construction or mining where they are exposed to harsh chemicals or pollutants are more likely to develop pulmonary fibrosis.
– Certain forms of pulmonary fibrosis are genetic.
– In addition to some other medications, cancer therapies such as chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy also can also cause pulmonary fibrosis.
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