Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most common lung diseases that affect basic cardiopulmonary functions, so much so that around 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Considering how prevalent it is, it’s worrisome that the information on this matter is still rather lacking.
To help remedy this, we’ve put together a list of the most common questions, along with their answers, about pulmonary fibrosis. If this is something that you’re interested in, read on as we share the answers to the most common questions regarding pulmonary fibrosis:
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that affects lung tissue. What happens is that the tissue becomes damaged and scarred, which hinders cardiopulmonary functions. This can make it harder for the person to breathe and makes them feel like they are always short of breath.
Is Pulmonary Fibrosis a Terminal Illness?
What’s tricky about pulmonary fibrosis is that there is no cure for it, meaning that the illness will progressively worsen over time and lead to death. This is because there are too many different factors involved to accurately determine how long and how well people will live with pulmonary fibrosis. In fact, the disease is erratic in nature and can just worsen quickly out of nowhere.
Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Different from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Pulmonary fibrosis is often confused with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While similar, these two diseases are different. Pulmonary fibrosis damages the space between blood vessels and other structures inside the lungs, while COPD has more to do with damaged alveoli that causes airways to be irritated and inflamed. Alveoli are the air sacs in your lungs that help get oxygen into your bloodstream.
What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis where the cause of the condition cannot be determined.
What Causes Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Keep in mind that there are many different causes for pulmonary fibrosis. Often, the causes for it remain unknown as it can be quite difficult to nail down one specific reason for the disease. What we can do is discuss factors that can put you at risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis.
Typically, men are more at risk of pulmonary fibrosis, especially for those who are advanced in age. This is why most men who get pulmonary fibrosis are between the ages of 50 and 70. Smoking also plays a huge factor when it comes to developing pulmonary fibrosis. In fact, smokers and ex-smokers are far more likely to develop pulmonary fibrosis than people who have never smoked before.
Lastly, working in an environment that’s exposed to dust or fumes makes you more prone to pulmonary fibrosis. This is because regularly breathing in chemicals and other hazardous substances can significantly damage the lungs.
Conclusion
When it comes to diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, being knowledgeable about the sickness goes a long way when it comes to helping you deal with it. We hope the information we’ve shared proves to be useful when it comes to helping you manage this disease. If you have any more questions regarding pulmonary fibrosis, it’s best to direct them to your primary care physician.
If you’re looking for a primary care doctor in North Bergen, NJ, then look no further as Garden State Medical Group has got your back. Our team of board-certified physicians and specialists is dedicated to helping you when it comes to preventing and managing diseases. For more information on what we can do for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!