What is pulmonary fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.
This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly.
As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.
The lung damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis can't be repaired, but medications and therapies can sometimes help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. For some people, a lung transplant might be appropriate.
Symptoms
The course of pulmonary fibrosis — and the severity of symptoms — can vary considerably from person to person. Some people become ill very quickly with severe disease. Others have moderate symptoms that worsen more slowly, over months or years.
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis may include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- A dry cough
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Aching muscles and joints
Causes
Many substances and conditions can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Even so, in most cases, the cause is never found. Pulmonary fibrosis with no known cause is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Lung tissue damage may be caused by a medical condition, radiation therapy, some medications, and toxins.
Medical conditions
Lung damage can also result from a number of conditions, including:
- Dermatomyositis
- Polymyositis
- Mixed connective tissue disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- Pneumonia
Researchers have several theories about what might trigger idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including viruses and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Also, some forms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis run in families, and heredity may play a role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
As we read in the article, pulmonary fibrosis mostly affects middle-aged and older people, although it may also be observed in infants and children.
Complications
Complications of pulmonary fibrosis may include:
- High blood pressure in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
- Respiratory failure.
- Lung cancer.
- Lung complications. Blood clots in the lungs.
- Lung infection
- Lung collapse
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353690
