What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?
Everyone is not impacted by pulmonary fibrosis in the same manner. Similar symptoms might be caused by a variety of common, readily treatable conditions. These symptoms might occasionally be indicators of the common cold or an upper respiratory infection.
Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:
- Quick, shallow bursts of breath.
- Cough that is persistently dry.
- Fatigue (severe fatigue, no matter how much you sleep)
- Breathlessness, especially during or just after exertion
- Loss of weight that is neither intentional nor understandable
How is pulmonary fibrosis caused?
The tissue surrounding and between the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs became thicker and scarred due to pulmonary fibrosis. Because of this, it is more challenging for oxygen to enter your bloodstream. Numerous situations, including prolonged exposure to certain chemicals, some diseases, radiation therapy, and some drugs, are causes of the damage.
How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?
Your doctor will inquire about your medical background. A physical examination will be performed as well to assess your symptoms properly. They could listen to your breathing with a stethoscope to hear any unusual noises (like crackling).
Diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis might be difficult since it can resemble other, more prevalent lung conditions. So to confirm pulmonary fibrosis, your doctor might suggest you get blood tests, imaging tests, breathing tests, biopsy, etc.
What are the treatments for pulmonary fibrosis?
The majority of pulmonary fibrosis therapies emphasize symptom relief and quality of life enhancement. It is because there is no permanent cure for pulmonary fibrosis. Depending on your condition, your doctor will suggest medications, oxygen therapy, rehabilitation, or a lung transplant.