Monitoring and management

Managing Pulmonary Fibrosis

While there is currently no cure for pulmonary fibrosis, a range of treatments and supportive therapies can help manage symptoms, slow disease progression and improve quality of life. Your treatment plan will depend on your individual needs and may include medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy and other specialist support to help you remain as active and comfortable as possible.

PR

Pulmonary rehabilitation

An exercise programme designed to reduce breathlessness by teaching breathing techniques and improve general fitness level.

medication

Medication

There are two drugs which slow down disease progression by reducing lung scarring: Nintedanib and Pirfenidone.

This medication is only currently available to patients diagnosed with IPF.

Oxygen

Oxygen therapy

Supplemental oxygen is used to treat low oxygen level (hypoxaemia) in the blood caused by scarring via a nasal cannula or a face mask.

Ambulatory oxygen therapy is given/taken additionally during exercise and everyday living activities.

As the disease progresses (severe hypoxaemia) you may require constant oxygen supplementation.

Stomach

Stomach

Omeprazole and lansoprazole are medications which reduce the production of stomach acid and antacids neutralise stomach acid.

CBT

Cognitive

To manage possible anxiety/depression caused by the PF diagnosis.

Transplant

Lung

Omeprazole and lansoprazole are medications which reduce the production of stomach acid and antacids neutralise stomach acid.

Content acknowledgements: © 2022 by the University of Hull and Authors. A Patient's Guide to Pulmonary Fibrosis Second Edition

PF_lung_grey

Join the PF Trust mailing list

There is a strong pulmonary fibrosis community, sharing experiences and providing support.

As a part of the community, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust has a platform available to all to raise awareness and provide support to each other.

Make sure you follow us on social media and join our PF Trust mailing list to receive the newsletter and regular updates.

Please read our privacy policy here.

* indicates required