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Can lung fibrosis cause breathing difficulties?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am consulting for my mother. She had brain aneurysm surgery, almost six to seven years back. She also has some lung problem. She used to have asthma earlier, but recently she has problem in breathing while walking and doing daily chores. She has headache and her whole body aches. She is taking supplemental oxygen. While taking supplemental oxygen, her oxygen saturation goes to over 90 %, but once she removes supplemental oxygen it drops back below 80 %. She has difficulty in sleeping usually at night. I am also attaching the computed tomography (CT) scan report of my mother. I just want to know what are the treatment options available for her.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. I have gone through the reports you have attached (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). She might be having tuberculosis in the past, because her CT (computed tomography) scan is suggestive of a fibrotic lung. This means scarring in lungs. Hence, those parts of lungs are dead functionally. So, the body starts experiencing oxygen deficiency (hypoxia). As a result of hypoxia, heart also does changes in the form of dilated right atrium and ventricles, pulmonary hypertension and ultimately right sided heart failure. The heart failure further causes low oxygen saturation. So, this cascade continues. The best treatment at this stage is oxygen therapy. May I know the following details: 1. Does she have edema in her feet? 2. Does she have any echocardiography report? Please reply me with the answers to the above-asked questions, so that I can guide you better about medicines and investigations. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

She does not have edema in her feet. Does she have to see the doctor immediately?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. What about the echocardiography? And what about current ongoing medicines? Yes, if possible, meet the doctor immediately. Please reply me with answers to the above-asked questions, so that I can guide you better about medicines. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At May 3, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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