Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition of the lungs. Breathing difficulties, moreover, make it the main symptoms.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a perforation of one or more lung (s), causing more and more difficulty in breathing.

The exact cause of the disease is sometimes unclear or even unknown. However, the most heavily impacted individuals are between 70 and 75 years old.

Different treatments can help reduce the severity of the disease, and limit its complications. In addition, no treatment is currently available that can completely cure pulmonary fibrosis.

The different forms of Pulmonary Fibrosis:

• idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• hypersensitive pneumonia
• the pneumoconiosis
• drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis

The occurrence of each of these forms is rare. It is not a type of cancer and pulmonary fibrosis is not contagious.

Pulmonary fibrosis is caused by progressive perforation of the pulmonary alveoli. The lungs are then depleted in oxygen and breathing difficulties appear.

Each individual can be affected by this kind of disease. However, the people most at risk are: people over the age of 70, as well as smokers.

The exact cause of such ailment is unknown. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis can be linked to:

• exposure to certain dusts, in particular metals or wood
• viral infection
• genetics: for 1 in 20 cases, it is a hereditary transmission
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• tobacco consumption.

Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are progressive and become more severe over time.

These clinical signs are similar to:

• difficulty breathing, causing reduced breathing
• a dry and persistent cough
• general weakness (fatigue)
• loss of appetite and weight
• swelling in the fingertips.

Many patients feel no difficulty in breathing at first. The respiratory signs are, first of all, felt during an effort. They increase over time, until they impact the patient’s daily life.

Medical examinations can confirm or deny the presence of the disease. Among these :

• breathing tests
• blood tests
• an x-ray of the lungs
• a lung biopsy

The risk factors associated with the development of pulmonary fibrosis are:

• age
• the tobacco
• taking certain medications
• the presence of the disease in the family circle.

There is currently no treatment to eliminate and completely cure the disease. However, certain medications exist that can reduce symptoms and limit their severity.

These treatments include:

• medicines to reduce pain associated with perforation of the alveoli
• the use of oxygen masks
• respiratory rehabilitation exercises
• a lung transplant

Stopping smoking is, of course, the first step in alleviating symptoms and illness.