Pulmonary fibrosis - symptoms, causes & treatment

Dr.Akshay Budhraja, 3 mins read

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition. It occurs when tissues around the alveoli, the air sacs of the lungs, get damaged, thickened and scarred. This makes lung functioning difficult, which in turn causes dry cough, tiredness, loss of appetite and loss of weight.

As the disease progresses, breathing becomes difficult. This will restrict adequate oxygen supply to the lungs and the body.

Also commonly called lung fibrosis, it can be the result of multiple factors like radiation treatment, certain medicines, some underlying medical condition and occupational and environmental toxins.

The lung damage caused by the disease may not be cured. However, medications and therapies can help manage the condition and ease the symptoms. So, it’s important to not ignore your symptoms and get treatment earlier at Aakash Healthcare to reduce lung damage.

What are the first symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?
Here are the common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis:

• Shortness of breath
• Dry and hacking cough
• Tiredness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in joints and bones
• Bulging in the tips of fingers and toes (clubbing)

The severity and course of symptoms may vary from person to person. Some may get ill within a few days of getting the disease. Whereas others may have mild symptoms that worsen over time.

What is the main cause of pulmonary fibrosis?
In most cases, the cause of pulmonary fibrosis is not known. These cases are labelled as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. According to experts, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may be triggered by exposure to tobacco smoke or viruses. Sometimes this also runs in families.

On the other hand, a cause can be found in some cases. These may include:

• Certain medicines like chemotherapy drugs, heart medications, some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Occupational and environmental factors such as dust of coal, silica, grain and hard metal dust, asbestos fibres and droppings of birds and animals.
• Radiation treatment for lung or breast cancer.
• Medical conditions like dermatomyositis, polycystosis, rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, pneumonia, etc.

What are the best treatments for lung fibrosis?
As discussed earlier, there is no cure for pulmonary fibrosis. However, numerous treatment options can stop/ slow down the progression of the disease or may ease the symptoms. Your doctor will assess the condition and the cause. Based on this, a treatment option is recommended:

• Medications
There are antibiotic medicines available for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that can slow down the progression of mild and moderate conditions. Pirfenidone (Esbriet) and nintedanib (Ofev) are two currently available medications approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). Anti-inflammatory medicines may also help some people.

• Oxygen therapy
In some cases, oxygen therapy may also be needed. It can make breathing and exercise easier, prevent or lessen complications that may arise from low blood oxygen levels and improve the sense of well-being and sleep.

• Pulmonary rehabilitation
It is a comprehensive program that includes physical exercises, breathing exercises, nutritional counselling, support and education on the management of pulmonary fibrosis.

• Other treatment options
In severe cases, a doctor may recommend palliative care or a lung transplant.