Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a respiratory system disease characterized by scarring and thickening of the pulmonary tissue that compromises the lung capacity to move oxygen into the body. This condition is considered a type of interstitial lung disease, a term used to describe a large group of conditions characterized by inflammation or scarring of the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis’ common symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath that escalates during physical efforts, dry cough, and fatigue.

The severity of these symptoms and how they develop over time differ from person to person. However, given that this is a progressive disease, the symptoms tend to worsen as the lung’s tissue becomes more damaged, leading to respiratory or heart failure, high lung blood pressure, and other complications. Identifiable causes of pulmonary fibrosis include regular exposure to nocive fumes, dust, or pollutants (e.g., asbestos, hard metal, and coal dust), suffering from an autoimmune condition, being exposed to radiation to the chest and taking medications like chemotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs that can cause lung damage as a side-effect. Yet, very often, a cause can’t be attributed to the development of this condition, which is then classified as idiopathic. No cure exists for this condition, as the damage to the lung tissue is irreversible. However, the use of some medications combined with oxygen therapy delays the process of lung capacity loss.