Nothing can reverse the damage that has occurred to your tissues due to fibrosis. It becomes thickened, due to which efficient gaseous exchange can not take place. Pulmonary fibrosis is often a progressive disease. It worsens, making it difficult for you to breathe.
Pulmonary fibrosis can occur due to various reasons. But sometimes, the healthcare providers can not pinpoint the exact cause- a condition known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Nothing can reverse the lung damage that has already occurred due to fibrosis. However, symptomatic treatment can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life.
In some cases, the healthcare providers ask to get a lung transplant. If you have any complaints about your respiratory tract, you can visit a Pulmonologist in Lahore.
What are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The severity of the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis varies from person to person. Some may live many years with it. In some other people, it may progress in a short period of time.
The signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are:
- Fatigue
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Unintentional weight loss
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Clubbing of fingers- a condition in which widening and rounding of the toes occurs
The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis may exacerbate, causing severe breathing difficulties. Due to this, the person may need to be placed on a mechanical ventilator.
What are the Causes of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when your lung tissues get inflamed and damaged. It scars and thickens the surrounding tissues of the alveoli- the air sacs through which gas exchange takes place. When they get damaged, efficient gas exchange can not take place, hence your breathing is affected. Pulmonary fibrosis can occur due to various factors, such as
- Taking certain medications
- Exposure to toxins
- Having certain health conditions
- Exposure to radiation therapy
Medications
Certain drugs can lead to fibrosis of the lung tissue. They can be described as:
- Chemotherapy drugs- used to kill cancer cells, such as cyclophosphamide and methotrexate.
- Heart medications- used to normalize heart rhythm, such as amiodarone.
- Antibiotics- used to kill bacterial cells, such as ethambutol and nitrofurantoin.
- Antiinflammatory drugs- used to lower inflammation, such as sulfasalazine and rituximab.
Toxins
A long term exposure to toxins can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. They can be:
- Silica dust
- Asbestos fiber
- Grain dust
- Bird and animal droppings
- Hard metal dust
- Coal dust
Health conditions
Certain health conditions can lead to damage of lung tissue, such as:
- Dermatomyositis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- Pneumonia
- Polymyositis
- Mixed connective tissue disease
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Exposure to Radiation Therapy
Sometimes, people who receive radiation therapy for breast cancer may get pulmonary fibrosis. It may happen months or even years after the initial treatment. However, the severity of lung damage may depend upon:
- The time of lung exposure to the radiation therapy
- The total amount of radiation administered
- Comorbidities- the presence of any other disease
- Whether chemotherapy was used or not
Various things can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Sometimes the exact cause can not be found. Therefore the healthcare providers call it idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
What are the Complications of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis can lead to various complications, such as:
- Pulmonary hypertension- high blood pressure in your lungs
- Right-sided heart failure
- Respiratory failure
- Lung cancer
- Lung complications, such as pulmonary embolism, lung infections, or a collapsed lung.
The Bottom Line
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the scarring of lung tissue occurs due to which efficient gaseous exchange can not take place. Until now, there is no such treatment for it. However, symptomatic treatment can help in lowering the symptoms.
Pulmonary fibrosis can occur due to various reasons. When the healthcare provider can not pinpoint the exact cause, they name it idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. If you have the same complaint, you should visit the healthcare provider. For expert advice, you can consult with South City Hospital.
