Pulmonary fibrosis lung disease is also known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is an incurable lung disorder. This lasts for 3 – 5 years after diagnosis. This condition causes scarring within and around the air sacs. As scarring progresses, lungs become stiff. This condition make sacs difficult to absorb oxygen into blood stream. Low levels or lack of oxygen in blood stream causes problems to the body.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis Lung Disease:
The most common sign of pulmonary fibrosis lung disease is dyspnea or shortness of breath. Other symptoms of disease include:
- Shallow or rapid breathing
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Malaise
- Dry and hacking cough
- Muscle and joint aches
- Weight loss
- Clubbing, that is, enlargement of the tips of the fingers or toes
- Cyanosis, that is, skin color turns to blue
- Chest tightness
- Loss of appetite
- Anorexia
Causes of Pulmonary Fibrosis Lung Disease:
Risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis lung disease is higher in people who are exposed to allergens and air pollutants, like:
- Inorganic dust
- Fumes and gases
- Organic dust
- Tobacco smoke
- Silica dust
- Asbestos fiber
- Sugar cane and animal droppings
- Grain dust
- Certain medications, like Methotrexate, nitrofurantoin, sulfasalazine, amiodarone, cyclophosphamide and propanolol
- Acid reflux
- Radiation treatments
- Tissue disorders
- Lung infections, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia
Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis Lung Disease:
There is no treatment for this disorder. Lung scarring is irreversible. However, certain measures can reduce or slow down additional scarring on lungs. If scarring is due to inhalation of pollutants, immediate measures must be taken to prevent further scarring.
- Medications: To minimize the deterioration of lung function, medicines are prescribed by the health care provider. Immunosuppressants, like corticosteroid are usually preferred. These medications show minimum impact on some patients. These can lead to other side effects like glaucoma, skin cancer and diabetes.
- Oxygen Therapy: This makes breathing easier. This soothes the symptoms and gives relief from the pulmonary fibrosis.
- Lung Transplant: This is applicable for young patients, that is, in the initial stage. Typically, this is reserved for people whose condition is not improved with other treatments.
