Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

IDF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) is a critical and chronic disease that affects the tissues like alveoli present in the lungs. This condition occurs due to stiffness of the lung tissues for several reasons. Over time, this situation can cause permanent scarring in the lungs called fibrosis. This leads to difficulty in breathing.

IPF is a very common idiopathic interstitial lung disease. Apart from this, there are several ILD that are idiopathic. Generally, it's difficult for doctors to find a reason why a person has developed pulmonary fibrosis. In a situation when the cause of the disease is unknown, the fibrosis may be termed idiopathic.

Due to an increase in the number of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Market is growing pretty well. According to a report by Astute Analytica, the market will register a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 9.4% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2030.

Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

In the starting phase of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the symptoms would be barely visible. After a severe growth of fibrosis, the visible symptoms could be,

·   Shortness of breath caused even by small activities

·   Loss of appetite

·   Chest pain or tightness

·   Leg swelling

·   Consistent Dry Cough

·   Weight loss

·   Tiredness

·   Joint and muscle aches

Some patients might experience a rapid worsening of their symptoms, such as severe shortness of breath, that may last for several days to weeks. People having acute exacerbations might get admitted and supported by a mechanical ventilator. Doctors may also prescribe corticosteroid medications, antibiotics, or other medications to treat this condition.

Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis thickens and damages the tissue of air sacs or the alveoli in the lungs. This condition doesn't let oxygen pass easily into the bloodstream. This condition can arise due to various conditions which primarily include certain medical conditions, radiation therapy, long-term exposure to certain toxins, and some medications.

Doctors and researchers sometimes find one or more reasons behind the cause during the diagnostics. When the cause of pulmonary fibrosis is not known, this is called idiopathic. Having a correct diagnosis can be important, because treatment options may vary depending on the type of PF.

Treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

This situation of lung stiffness and scarring that occurs in pulmonary fibrosis is an irreversible process. As of current medical and healthcare advancements, no treatment has proved effective in stopping the progression of the diseases.

Some people who receive radiation therapy for lung or breast cancer show signs of lung damage months or sometimes years after the initial treatment. The severity of the damage may depend on how much of the lung was exposed to radiation, the total amount of radiation administered, whether chemotherapy also was used, and the presence of underlying lung diseases.

Although, some temporary solutions are available which might improve symptoms for some time or may slow the disease's progression. Doctors will evaluate the severity of the situation to deliver the most suitable treatment for this condition.