Pulmonary Fibrosis
What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
There are a group of diseases known as interstitial lung diseases—pulmonary
fibrosis is among these conditions. Pulmonary fibrosis causes lung scarring,
which can interfere with the patient’s breathing over a long or
short period of time. In some cases, the cause of the condition is clear—such
as a viral infection, a history of cigarette smoking, certain medications,
pollutants in the environment, gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD which
causes stomach acid to back up into the throat and may be threated into
the lungs, and genetics. In others cases, the cause is not clear. There
is not always a plainly identifiable cause for every instance of pulmonary
fibrosis. When a direct cause cannot be found, this is known as idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Common symptoms of this condition include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath, especially exercise induced
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shallow, rapid breathing
- Aching muscles and joints
- Clubbing of fingers and toes
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is wise to see your doctor
at Washington Township Medical Foundation right away. There are certain
treatments and therapies available. The sooner you get started, the better,
as lung damage can be irreparable. Visit our Fremont pulmonary specialists today.