overview
- Illustration of pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary Fibrosis Open the pop-up dialog box
- Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue is damaged and scarred. This thickened and stiff tissue makes it difficult for your lungs to function properly. As the pulmonary fibrosis worsens you will gradually become short of breath.
Scars associated with pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by a variety of factors. However, in most cases, doctors cannot pinpoint the cause of the problem. If no cause can be found, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis Treatment in Nizamabad
Lung damage from pulmonary fibrosis cannot be fixed, but medications and therapies can sometimes help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. A lung transplant may be appropriate for some people.
symptom
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis can include:
- Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- A dry cough
- Tired
- Inexplicable weight loss
- Muscle and joint pain
- Widening and rounding of the fingertips or toes (baton)
The reasons
Pulmonary fibrosis heals and thickens the tissue around and between the air sacs (alveoli) of your lungs. This makes it harder for oxygen to get through your bloodstream. Damage can be caused by many different factors – including long-term exposure to certain toxins, certain medical conditions, radiation therapy, and certain drugs. Pulmonary fibrosis Treatment in Nizamabad
Professional and environmental factors
Long-term exposure to a number of toxins and pollutants can damage your lungs. These include:
- Fumed silica
- Asbestos fibers
- Hard metal dust
- Coal dust
- Grain dust
- Bird and animal droppings
Risk factors
Some of the factors that make you more prone to developing pulmonary fibrosis include:
- Age. Although pulmonary fibrosis has been diagnosed in children and infants, the disorder is much more likely to affect middle-aged and elderly adults.
- Sex. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is more likely to affect men than women.
- Smoke. Much more smokers and former smokers develop pulmonary fibrosis than people who have never smoked. Pulmonary fibrosis can occur in patients with emphysema.
- Certain professions. You are at an increased risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis if you work in mining, agriculture, or construction, or if you are exposed to pollutants known to damage your lungs.
- Cancer treatments. Breast radiation therapy or the use of certain chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Genetic factors. Certain types of pulmonary fibrosis run in families, and genetic factors can be a component.