What does it mean to have 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.
Is pulmonary fibrosis serious?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious, lifelong lung disease. It causes lung scarring (tissues scar and thicken over time), making it harder to breathe. Symptoms may come on quickly or take years to develop.
What is the main cause of pulmonary fibrosis?
What causes pulmonary fibrosis? There are a number of known causes of pulmonary fibrosis. Exposure to toxins like asbestos, coal dust or silica (including workers in the coal mining and sandblasting industry) can lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
What are the first signs of pulmonary fibrosis?
The most common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are dry, persistent cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may be mild or even absent early in the disease process. As the lungs develop more scar tissue, symptoms worsen.
What is the best treatment for pulmonary fibrosis?
Currently, two drugs are FDA-approved for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is the most common form of PF. These include nintedanib (Ofev®) and pirfenidone (Esbriet®).
How long do you live with pulmonary fibrosis?
A diagnosis of PF can be very scary. When you do your research, you may see average survival is between three to five years. This number is an average. There are patients who live less than three years after diagnosis, and others who live much longer.
How long can a person with pulmonary fibrosis live?
How long can I live with pulmonary fibrosis?
What are the 4 stages of pulmonary fibrosis?
The four stages of pulmonary fibrosis are mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. A patient’s disease stage is determined by their lung capacity and the severity of their symptoms.