Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that adversely affects the lungs. Here, damage is done to the air sacs of the lungs known as alveoli. These become thick and are clearly marked. This lung impairment gradually increases. Lungs become stiffened and hardened. It results in an abnormal expansion, and ultimately, breathing is compromised.

As this ill-health is an irreversible process, the damaged lungs are irreparable. Drugs and therapies can help to decrease the rate of this condition. And this will lead to an increase in the quality of life.

Pulmonary Fibrosis and Who is Likely to Acquire It?

Smoking is a major cause that leads to this condition. Other risk factors include:

1. Age:

People who are in between the age group of 50 to 70 years are more favorable candidates for this condition.

2. Gender:

Men are at a high risk of contracting this ill-health.

3. Tobacco consumption:

People who smoke regularly are at a high risk of acquiring this condition.

4. Hereditary:

Certain types of this condition persist in family members. Here genes have a critical role.

Causes

Some known causes are:

1. Exposure to toxic substances:

When a person breathes in unhealthy dust at a workplace or environment full of:
coal, silica, wood, or metal.
When an individual is exposed to pollution from the environment, such as air, water, soil, and noise.

2. Intake of certain drugs:

Chemotherapy medicines such as bleomycin and methotrexate.

3. Autoimmune conditions:

These include rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and so on.

4. Radiation exposure:

Having taken radiation therapy in the past.

Symptoms

The signs & symptoms of this condition include:

A feeling of tiredness
Weight loss
Appetite loss
Joints and muscles that pain
Breathing problems, mainly when you exercise.
Bulging finger or toe tips also known as clubbing

Diagnosis

Your healthcare may recommend tests that include:

Chest x-ray
CT scan or an MRI scan
Blood tests
A bronchoscopy
A lung biopsy

Treatment Options

When an individual acquires this condition, most probably the person will have to live with it for the rest of his or her life.

Your provider may suggest one or more treatments to relieve you of the ongoing pain that include:

1. Drugs:

Two drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib may cut down lung scarring. These drugs can help maintain lung function.

2. Oxygen therapy:

Giving your body more oxygen makes it easy to breathe. It may also help you gain energy and strength.

3. Pulmonary rehabilitation:

Participating in a specialized fitness program may enhance your ability to do daily duties or activities.

4. Lung transplant:

One or both of the damaged lungs is replaced with a healthy lung or lungs from a willing donor. This will be a boost for your health and improve the quality of life. A lung transplant is a surgical medical procedure for which not everyone is a candidate.

Life Expectancy For People Infected With This Condition

Depending on the condition, some people live only for months while others live for several years. Having been diagnosed with this condition, the below-mentioned steps will guide you to stay in the best of your health:

1. Take proactive steps to avoid getting sick:

It is better to hand wash before meals, and you should avoid direct contact with anyone who is not well. Try to avoid risk factors, wherever possible. If you have pulmonary fibrosis, your body will take longer to recover from infections that other individuals can fight off with ease.