Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

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About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis:

It is a serious chronic disease that affects the tissue surrounding the air sacs, or alveoli, in the lungs.
The lung tissue becomes thick and stiff for unknown reasons — causing permanent scarring in the lungs over time.
Fibrosis can make it progressively more difficult to breathe for the patient.
Complications from IPF include pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure, which happen when the lungs cannot deliver enough oxygen into the bloodstream without support. This prevents the brain and other organs from getting the oxygen they need.
Individuals with a history of smoking or a family history of IPF are at higher risk. The risk also increases with age, making older adults more susceptible to developing the disease.
Symptoms
- Common symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry cough — both of which are likely to get worse over time.
- Patients might also have aching muscles and joints as well as feeling extreme tiredness.
- A gradual, unintended loss of weight and generally feel unwell. Symptoms also include rapid, shallow breathing and clubbing — a widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes.
Treatment
- There is no cure for IPF, but some treatments can help slow lung damage and improve quality of life.
- Medications like Nintedanib or Pirfenidone can help the lungs function better and reduce flare-ups.
- Oxygen therapy can improve breathing and exercise capacity, while ventilator support may be needed for severe cases.

Q1: What are Alveoli?

These are tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles, the branch-like tubes in the lungs. The alveoli move oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules into and out of your bloodstream.

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