Pulmonary fibrosis is a lifelong lung condition that gradually advances. This condition involves scarring and hardening of the alveoli of the lungs (air sacs), resulting in trouble breathing and a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood.
Physicians diagnose pulmonary fibrosis by performing a comprehensive physical examination. They assess the patient’s medical records and family history, in addition to discussing their symptoms and identifying their contact with various irritants and pollutants. In most cases, pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed using imaging and lung function tests.
Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)
The scarring that pulmonary fibrosis causes is irreversible, and there are no treatment options that address the debilitating advancement of the condition. While some therapies may alleviate symptoms short-term or impede the condition’s progression, others work by enhancing the patient’s quality of life. Physicians determine the severity of the patient’s symptoms to pinpoint the most effective approach to treatment.
Medicines
There are various new FDA-approved drugs that are used as treatments for pulmonary fibrosis, such as and pirfenidone. These drugs work by halting the worsening of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. may lead to manageable side effects like nausea and diarrhea. Pirfenidone may also cause a rash in addition to nausea and diarrhea.
O2 Therapy
Even though oxygen therapy is not effective in circumventing lung damage, it can be helpful in stabilizing blood oxygen levels, lowering blood pressure in the heart, and improving sleep quality. Oxygen therapy improves breathing problems, making physical activity more possible, and overall quality of life.
Rehabilitation
Lung rehabilitation is used to improve symptoms and enhance the quality of daily life. Most rehabilitation plans revolve around employing physical activities for endurance enhancement, breathing exercises for maximizing lung capacity, nutritional guidance, talk therapy, as well as providing patients with in-depth knowledge about their condition.
Transplants
Your physician may recommend a lung transplant to prolong your life and enhance your overall welfare. That said, such transplantation also comes with notable risks. It can lead to an infection or worse, rejection of the new lung.
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