Pulmonary fibrosis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease caused by the formation of scar tissue in the lungs.

This condition causes the lungs to become stiff and unable to function normally. As a result, the lungs do not get oxygen optimally, making it difficult for you to breathe, especially when you are on the move.

If more and more scar tissue forms, pulmonary fibrosis can lead to interstitial lung disease.

This scar tissue is formed as a result of a wound in the lung. However, generally, it is difficult to determine the cause of this condition. That's why this condition is known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (no known cause).

Lung damage from fibrosis cannot be cured, but drugs and therapy can help relieve the symptoms. For some patients, a transplant (graft) may be needed.

How common is this condition?

The idiopathic type is the most common condition of pulmonary fibrosis. Quoted from the American Lung Association, it is estimated that there are 50 thousand new cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis each year.

Most patients with this condition develop symptoms between the ages of 50 and 70. Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that is more common in men than in women.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?

Some of the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are:

• Shortness of breath characterized by shortness of breath
• Limp or tiredness
• Dry cough
• Weight loss without cause
• Muscle and joint pain
• The tips of the toes and hands are swollen

The development of the condition and the severity of the disease varies from person to person. There are those whose conditions immediately experience severe symptoms, while others develop slowly over several months to years.

Certain patients may experience symptoms that continue to get worse, such as difficulty breathing for days or weeks. In this condition, the patient needs a breathing apparatus such as a ventilator.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms above or any other questions, talk to your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes pulmonary fibrosis?

In most cases, pulmonary fibrosis has no known cause. However, according to the type, pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by several things:

• Have autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogen's syndrome.
• Viral infections, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Irritation due to hazardous materials, such as asbestos or silica.
• Inflammation of the lungs due to inhalation of mold spores, bacteria, or animal waste.
• Undergo radiation treatment for lung, cancer, and lung injuries.
• Taking certain types of drugs, such as drugs in chemotherapy treatment and drugs to treat abnormal heart rhythms, namely amiodarone , and anti-inflammatory drugs methotrexate and antibiotics nitrofurantoin .

Risk factors

What increases your risk factors for developing this condition?

Some of the risk factors that make you prone to pulmonary fibrosis are:

• Middle age or elderly
• Active smoker
• Patients with emphysema
• Certain professions that are hazardous to the lungs, such as mining workers, farmers or breeders, construction workers, or anyone at risk of exposure to pollution
• Cancer treatment, especially radiation to the chest area and chemotherapy drugs
• Heredity (genetic)

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

Several lung diseases are causes of pulmonary fibrosis. That is why the doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and family, work, daily activities, to what lifestyle you smoke.

Other tests to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis are:

• Chest X-ray (X-ray)
• Breathing tests, such as spirometry to check lung function
• Blood tests to check blood oxygen levels, autoimmune diseases, and possible infections
• A high-resolution CT scan (HRCT) of the chest
• Lung biopsy
• Exercise tests to check how well the lungs are able to move oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of the bloodstream

What are the treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis?

There is no medicine that can cure this condition completely. The treatment given can only help relieve symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.

Treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis are:

1. Medicines

Your doctor may offer you new generation drugs, such as pirfenidone (Esbriet) and nintedanib (Ofev). These drugs can slow down fibrosis. However, drugs can have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and a rash.

Your doctor may also prescribe stomach acid medication to treat acid reflux (GERD), which is a digestive disorder that people with this condition often experience.

2. Oxygen therapy

Oxygen therapy cannot stop lung damage completely. However, it can help you to:

• Breathe more smoothly
• Reducing the risk of complications from lack of oxygen in the blood
• Reduces blood pressure on the right side of the heart
• Improve sleep quality and comfort

You may need to use oxygen while sleeping or exercising, and some people need to use it non-stop throughout the day.

3. Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is done to help you control your symptoms and improve your comfort with daily activities. There are several ways that can be done for pulmonary rehabilitation, including:

• Sports or physical exercise to increase endurance
• Practice breathing techniques to help the lungs work
• Nutrition counseling
• Education about disease

4. Lung transplant (graft)

Transplantation may be an option for people with new fibrosis. Transplants can help increase life expectancy as well as general quality of life. However, there is a risk of organ rejection or infection as a result of this procedure. Talk to your doctor about all the possibilities.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat pulmonary fibrosis?

Lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat pulmonary fibrosis include:

• Quit smoking: talk to your doctor about the best way to quit smoking. Likewise, if someone closest to you or a member of your family smokes, it is better to ask family members to stop smoking because the smoke can damage the lungs of non-smokers. This method can help you maintain overall lung health.
• Pay attention to food intake: don't force yourself to eat a lot right away. Just limit it a little but often. Also increase the consumption of vegetables and fruit.
• Exercise regularly: good for health, including improving lung function and controlling stress. Ask a sports doctor what kind of exercise is right for you.
• Enough rest.
• Immunization: getting vaccinated for pneumonia and influenza, including members of your family to help you prevent various infections that can worsen your symptoms.
• Follow the recommendations of the doctor and the team of experts who treat you.

Make sure you always follow the instructions of your doctor or professional team for the best advice.