What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

What is it Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a condition that causes scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs (pulmonary), making it harder to breathe over time. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of pulmonary fibrosis and develops without a known cause.

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How does it affect the lungs?

Thickening of the lower parts of the lung (alveoli)

The lungs stiffen as a result of tissue scarring, making deep breathing more difficult

Scar tissue reduces the amount of oxygen that leaves the lungs and enters the bloodstream

Lung size and capacity is reduced

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What are the symptoms?

    Progressive difficulty in breathing
    Progressive difficulty in breathing
    Persistently dry or mildly mucus productive cough
    Persistently dry or mildly mucus productive cough
    Rounded and swollen fingertips (clubbing)
    Rounded and swollen fingertips (clubbing)
    Loss of appetite and weight
    Loss of appetite and weight
    Chronic tiredness
    Chronic tiredness
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What are the risk factors of developing pulmonary fibrosis?

Whilst some people are genetically at an increased risk of developing PF, there are also environmental risk factors that can impact the development of PF such as breathing in smoke or dust.

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Some genes have been identified to increase the risk of developing PF

There is currently no testing available to determine who may be susceptible to developing PF

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Some genes have been identified to increase the risk of developing PF

There is currently no testing available to determine who may be susceptible to developing PF

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Exacerbations of PF can be triggered by viruses, other infections or trauma/surgery

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Men are more commonly affected by PF than women

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The immune system attacks it's own cells in autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and scleroderma are commonly associated with PF

RA causes inflammation of the joints

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The immune system attacks it's own cells in autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and scleroderma are commonly associated with PF

RA causes inflammation of the joints

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Smoking brings in inflammatory cells to the lungs from the blood

Leads to inflammation and damages lung tissue

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Cancer treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can cause damage to the lung tissue

Some medication and drugs have been associated with PF disease

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The spill over of stomach chemicals into the lungs may lead to scarring

Elevating the head of your bed may reduce reflux

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

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