Pulmonary fibrosis is the condition that develops when the tissues of the lungs become thick and scarred over a period of time. When the tissues of the lungs become very thick, the lungs are unable to function properly and as the result, various parts of the body don’t receive sufficient amount of oxygen. When the cause of the pulmonary fibrosis is not identified, it is known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The severity of this condition varies among the affected individuals with some experiencing slow progression of the disease and the others developing problems quickly. As there is no cure for this condition, most of the affected individuals only live for a period of 5 years and death occurs as the result of respiratory failure.
Causes
The term idiopathic refers to the cause that is not known. Fibrosis refers to the development of the scar tissue which can occur as the result of damage in the lung. This can develop from the acid reflux, environmental factors such as pollution or dust and as the result of various infections. It can also develop among individuals who are genetically predisposed to this condition.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this condition develop over time and may not be evident till serious damage has occurred. Shortness of breath is the initial symptom of this disease. Addition symptoms that develop include the dry cough that doesn’t get better, weight loss, shallow breathing, fatigue, enlargement or the bulb-like development of the fingertips or the nails, aching muscles and joints. In addition, other complications that develop include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism and respiratory failure.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the thorough medical evaluation that helps rule out other possible medical causes. The physical examination can also help with the diagnosis of the condition by identifying signs. The physician uses the stethoscope to listen to the presence of any abnormal sounds when the individual breaths. The chest X-rays can help determine the progression of the disease by observing the changes of the bronchial structures and the scarring. The pulmonary function test can measure the impairment of the lung and to evaluate its progression. The oxygen desaturation study can determine the need for oxygen and the arterial blood test can evaluate the level of oxygen in the blood. Additional laboratory tests such as urinalysis, full blood count, creatinine levels and liver function tests may be necessary to rule out other possible diseases and the function of the body.
Treatment
The scarring of the lung cannot be reversed and the progression of the disease cannot be stopped. Medications can help relieve the symptoms and to slow the progression of the disease. The oxygen therapy can help reduce the shortness of breath and the pulmonary rehabilitation focuses on teaching the affected individuals with the management of the condition and how to function best. The rehabilitation includes breathing strategies, nutritional counseling, exercise training and energy-conserving techniques.
References
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ipf/treatment
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/idiopatpulmonary-fibrosis
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000069.htm
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-ipf/causes
