{"id":10044,"date":"2019-08-14T07:18:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T07:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=10044"},"modified":"2021-04-25T20:42:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T20:42:55","slug":"15-frequent-symptoms-of-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-frequent-symptoms-of-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Frequent Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When damage occurs within your lungs, scar tissue will form at the site of the injury. If this scar tissue reaches a critical mass then you could develop a condition known as pulmonary fibrosis in which the level of scarring and damage becomes too severe for your lungs to efficiently supply oxygen to the rest of your body. This can lead to a myriad of symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some cases of pulmonary fibrosis in which doctors can\u2019t even identify what the cause was. These cases are referred to as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Some patients may have an acute exacerbation which is a fancy medical term meaning that their symptoms progress at a rapid pace. This could last for a few days but may even linger on for as long as weeks. Those with acute exacerbations are often assisted with a ventilator to ensure they don\u2019t die of hypoxia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Shortness of breath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shortness of breath is one of the most common, if not the most common symptom of pulmonary fibrosis. After all, how could you not be short of breath if your lungs have lost the ability to pump out a sufficient level of oxygen <\/a>that your body needs to function? Shortness of breath is referred to as dyspnea by doctors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that being said, it is rarely used to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis due to the fact that it can be caused by various other lung diseases as well. Tuberculosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis have both been known to cause shortness of breath in their patients. Still, it can help you pinpoint the cause \u2014 and figure out if it is, in fact, pulmonary fibrosis \u2014 if you take note of it then try to cross-reference some of the other symptoms on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. A dry cough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dry coughs are another symptom that you\u2019ll find in most cases of pulmonary fibrosis<\/a>. Much like shortness of breath, it can\u2019t be used to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis on its own because it can be caused by so many other lung conditions. Even a combination of shortness of breath and dry cough would only tell the doctors that the condition is pulmonary in nature, but not which condition it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some measures that patients with pulmonary fibrosis can take to try and alleviate the cough. Drinking plenty of fluids is an essential part of it as it will lubricate the throat. Hot tea with honey is a favorite among patients of pulmonary fibrosis as it\u2019s both tasty and effective. Manuka honey, in particular, has been rather popular in various pulmonary fibrosis Facebook groups as it can relieve the cough in a short period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much like with any pulmonary condition, fatigue <\/a>is to be expected. After all, when your lungs are damaged and lose the ability to supply sufficient oxygen to your body, you\u2019re bound to see a pronounced drop in energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most chronic lung conditions present with fatigue as one of the first symptoms. This includes pulmonary sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and various others. Some studies have shown that the fatigue brought on by these lung diseases can be counteracted \u2014 or at least partially offset \u2014 by regular aerobic exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They say that this form of exercise teaches the body to conserve energy and thus be more efficient with the oxygen that it does get from the lungs. Many patients have reported that their fatigue was significantly reduced after they attended these pulmonary fibrosis rehabilitation programs. It may be tiring at first, but it will make the quality of life far better in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Unexplained weight loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sudden loss of weight without any reason can be concerning for many. After all, many types of cancer could lead to unexplained weight loss<\/a>. Pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic pulmonary conditions such as tuberculosis could also lead to rapid weight loss despite no changes to the diet or lifestyle of the patient. It\u2019s worth noting that you should only be concerned about weight loss if there is no obvious cause for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been eating less as of late or made a change to your exercise routine then weight loss is a given, and can even be healthy if you\u2019re overweight as it will reduce the odds of you developing cardiovascular diseases. If you notice yourself losing weight without any good reason then you should get your lungs checked to identify the underlying problem and determine if it is indeed a case of pulmonary fibrosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Pulmonary hypertension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pulmonary hypertension is just what it sounds like \u2014 high blood pressure<\/a> except it occurs within your lungs. This condition will only affect the arteries of your lungs. In contrast, systemic hypertension affects all arteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the scar tissue within your lungs starts to compress capillaries and small arteries thus reducing the amount of blood that your lungs receive. There are some cases of pulmonary hypertension that can prove fatal, which is why early detection and treatment is essential to prevent such complications from arising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing as pulmonary hypertension is caused by scarring in the lungs, it\u2019s one of the most characteristic symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis. It is uncurable but blood vessel dilators may be used to treat the condition and reduce its severity. High-dose calcium channel blockers may also be prescribed to the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Widening and rounding of the toes (clubbing)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clubbing is a symptom more widely associated with lung cancer,<\/a> though it can also develop in cases of pulmonary fibrosis as well as other lung conditions. Clubbing describes the rounding and widening of the toes along with the toenails. The nail beds will also commonly soften during the clubbing process making the link between the skin and nail seem less secure. In some cases, the nails will even begin to curve at a downward angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is no treatment for clubbing itself, the easiest way to take care of it is by handling the underlying issue. For instance, some patients with defects in their heart valves will experience clubbing. However, if a successful surgery is performed, they may notice that the clubbing is severely reduced or even totally dissipates within a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Shallow breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shallow breathing is another symptom that could indicate pulmonary fibrosis. As we explained, the scarring<\/a> in the lung tissue of pulmonary fibrosis patients makes it difficult for enough air to be pumped out to the rest of the body. With every breath bringing in less air, the natural solution of the body is to raise the total number of breaths that you take per minute. It\u2019s like how people with short legs take more steps than those with long legs despite going the exact same distance as them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shallow breathing can make it difficult to perform strenuous aerobic activities. That being said, constant exercise and even attendance of pulmonary fibrosis rehabilitation programs can reduce the impact of the shallow breathing and help the body be more efficient with oxygen usage. Once the aerobic efficiency of your body is increased, you won\u2019t need to take as many breaths each minute to keep your organs and limbs functioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. GERD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GERD is the official abbreviation for gastroesophageal reflux disease \u2014 which can be present in pulmonary fibrosis cases. In this condition, stomach acid manages to flow up into the esophagus. The most common treatment for GERD consists of anti-acid medications. This will reduce the severity of acid reflux<\/a>. There are also dietary changes that could alleviate the symptoms such as the avoidance of acidic food like coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chocolate and tomatoes are also rather acidic thus patients with pulmonary fibrosis and GERD may want to avoid these ingredients. If you are diagnosed with GERD and display some of the other symptoms on this list then you may want to get your lungs checked so you can see if you have pulmonary fibrosis. If it turns out to be the case, you\u2019ll be glad you got an early diagnosis as the treatment will be more effective when initiated sooner rather than later.
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