What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung illness that happens when lung tissue tends to be harmed and scarred. This thickened, firm tissue makes it more troublesome for the lungs to work appropriately. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, more shortness of breath occurs. The scarring related to pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by a large number of factors. The lung dysfunction caused by pulmonary fibrosis cannot be brought back to normal, but treatments can now and then offer assistance to ease side effects and make strides in the quality of life. For a few individuals, a lung transplant can be appropriate.
What Are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis might sometimes occur without any symptoms. The common symptoms are:
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Shortness of breath. It is typically the first symptom that might develop.
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Prolonged cough.
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Weakness.
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Fatigue and tiredness.
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Clubbing - This is the enlargement and curvature seen in the fingernails.
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Weight loss.
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Discomfort in the chest.
The condition is known to hit older adults first. The symptoms may seem minor at first. It might progress over time. The symptoms can vary from one person to another. Some patients with pulmonary fibrosis become severely ill.
What Causes Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The causes of pulmonary fibrosis can be understood under several categories:
1. Autoimmune Diseases: These illnesses cause the body’s resistant framework to assault itself. Immune system conditions that can lead to pulmonary fibrosis include:
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Rheumatoid arthritis (an inflammatory disease of joints, such as feet and hands).
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Dermatomyositis (a disease that causes skin rash and muscle weakness).
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Lupus erythematosus (occurs when the body’s immune system gets attacked by its own tissues).
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Scleroderma (a disease-causing skin tightening and inflammation).
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Vasculitis (a disease-causing blood vessel inflammation).
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Polymyositis (a disease-causing irritated and inflamed body muscles).
2. Infections: Pulmonary fibrosis may be a result of a variety of infections.
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Bacterial infections.
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Viral infections.
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Hepatitis C (a liver infection and inflammation).
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Herpes virus (a disease-causing contagious blisters and sores).
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Adenovirus.
3. Environmental Exposure: If a person is exposed to a wide variety of things within the environment and working space, those things can contribute to pulmonary fibrosis. For instance, cigarette smoke contains numerous chemicals that can harm the lungs.
Other materials that can damage the lungs include:
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Asbestos fibers.
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Specific gases.
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Silica dust.
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Radiation.
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Grain dust.
4. Medications: Some medications may also increase the risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis. If one takes these medications on a regular basis, one may require close monitoring by the doctor.
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Antibiotics such as Nitrofurantoin and Sulfasalazine.
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Chemotherapy drugs, such as Cyclophosphamide.
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Cardiac drugs, such as Amiodarone.
5. Idiopathic: In numerous cases, the precise cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. In unknown cases, the condition is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
6. Genetics: Few studies show that some genes are responsible for this condition, and pulmonary fibrosis can be hereditary also. But still, research is going on regarding the role of genetics in pulmonary fibrosis.
What Are the Risk Factors of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The risk increases in the following conditions:
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Male.
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Family history of the condition.
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History of smoking.
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The age group of 40 to 70 years.
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It has an autoimmune disorder associated with the condition.
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Medications associated with this disease.
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Undergone treatment for cancer.
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Exposure of the chest to radiation.
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Occupational hazards to people working in a high-risk area, such as mining and construction.
What Are the Complications of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Complications of pulmonary fibrosis might include:
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Pulmonary Hypertension: This condition affects only the arteries in the lungs. This raises the pressure within the pulmonary arteries. Some forms of pulmonary hypertension become much worse.
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Right-Sided Heart Failure (Cor Pulmonale): This serious condition occurs when the lower right chamber of the heart has to pump harder than usual.
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Respiratory Failure: This is often the chronic stage of lung disease. It occurs when oxygen levels in the blood fall dangerously low.
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Lung Cancer: Long-standing pulmonary fibrosis develops the risk of lung cancer.
How Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosed?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a common type of lung disease that exists. It is often misdiagnosed as asthma (a condition causing narrow, swelled, and inflamed airways of the lungs), pneumonia (a lung infection caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses), or bronchitis (inflammation of the trachea or bronchi). There are several methods for performing a biopsy. So one will need to get help from the doctor, and they will recommend the best procedure for the person.
The doctor may also use a variety of other tools to properly diagnose pulmonary fibrosis and to rule out other conditions. These may include:
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Pulse oximetry. It is a noninvasive test to check blood oxygen levels.
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Blood tests are done to check for autoimmune diseases, infections, and anemia (lack of enough healthy red blood cells in the blood).
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The arterial blood gas test can be used to assess the levels of oxygen in the blood more accurately.
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A sputum sample can be used to check for signs of infection.
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A pulmonary function test is used to measure lung capacity.
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An echocardiogram or cardiac stress test is used to see if a heart problem is causing any of the symptoms.
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In cases when the diagnosis is not known, a tissue sample, or biopsy, should be taken.
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By combining the clinical details and the results of a specific kind of CT (computed tomography) scan of the chest, the doctor will be able to diagnose more accurately.
How Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Treated?
The specialist cannot turn around the lung scarring, but they can prescribe medicines to assist in the progress of breathing and to slow the progression of the disease. The medicines underneath are a few illustrations of current choices utilized for overseeing pulmonary fibrosis.
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Supplemental oxygen.
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Prednisone suppresses the immune reaction and helps in lessening the inflammation.
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Azathioprine is given to fight against the resistant system.
The doctor may also encourage the person to make a few lifestyle changes, such as:
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Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.
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Avoid smoking.
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Follow an exercise plan that is developed with the doctor’s guidance.
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Get adequate rest.
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Avoid excess stress.
A lung transplant may be recommended for patients aged over 65 with severe disease. The doctor may also recommend pulmonary rehabilitation. This treatment plan involves a program of exercise, education, and support. This will help the person to breathe more easily.
What Are the Tips for Prevention of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
A few cases of pulmonary fibrosis may not be preventable. Other cases are connected to natural and behavioral hazard components that can be controlled. Follow these tips to lower the chance of getting the disease:
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Avoid smoking.
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Wear a face mask while working in an environment with harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
The average life expectancy of patients with pulmonary fibrosis maybe three to five years after diagnosis. Early detection of this condition is the way to slow the progression. The rate at which pulmonary fibrosis affects people’s lives might vary. Therefore, if a person has any discomfort breathing, they must make an appointment with their specialist. Early determination and treatment can eliminate the long-term effects of an individual with numerous infections in the lung, including pulmonary fibrosis.
