What symptoms do you have for pulmonary fibrosis?

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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the most common form of IIP, causes progressive pulmonary fibrosis predominantly in male smokers. Symptoms and signs develop over months to years and include exertional dyspnea, cough, and fine (Velcro) crackles. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, chest x-ray, and pulmonary function tests and is confirmed with HRCT, lung biopsy, or both if necessary. No specific treatment has proven effective, but corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, or a combination are often given. Most patients deteriorate even with treatment; median survival is < 3 yr from diagnosis.
Symptoms are gradual in onset. The most common are dyspnea (Shortness of breath on exertion that lasts for months or years and eventually is present at rest), but also include nonproductive cough (usually dry) , clubbing, crackles
decreased tolerance for activity and Chest pain (occasionally).
Please see the web pages for more details on Pulmonary fibrosis.  (+ info)

Pulmonary fibrosis from short-term exposure to irritants?

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Is this possible? Does it have to be prolonged exposure to things?
Generally ... yes ...

BUT ... large exposure to gases like hydrogen sulfide can cause pulmonary fibrosis within 4 years .... or large exposure to asbestos ... for example .... over a 3 month period can see changes in the lung parenchyma in 20 to 30 years ....

Do you see the common link here ... large exposures that are short term can lead to pulmonary fibrosis  (+ info)

Is Pulmonary Fibrosis caused by chemotherapy reversable once the chemo is stopped?

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no, pulmonary fibrosis is not reversible. it occurs when damage is done to your lungs. this causes scar tissue to form, which is less flexible and as a result, may reduce your ability to take in large breaths and get adequate oxygen to your blood.  (+ info)

my dad is in the hospital with pulmonary fibrosis can you explain how serious this is?

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he has been in for 2 weeks is in rebilhation part my stepmom says the worse part is over he is 75 years old can he get better? how do you get this ?he quit smoking 40 years ago
please tell me what causes this the doctors dont know why he is on oxygen therepy now
please tell me what causes this he is on oxygen therapy I need help understanding this can he get better?
First, let me say how sorry I am to hear that your father has pulmonary fibrosis (PF). I speak from experience - I have PF and was diagnosed in 2003 and given about 18 months to live. As you can see, my doctors missed my departure date a little. Over the past 4 plus years of dealing with this disease, I have become well educated in the matter, and maybe I can clear a few things up for you.

First, and most importantly, little is known about the cause of PF. It may have genetic roots, but it usually starts with some kind of lung injury. This injury can be something like pneumonia, or breathing toxic fumes like the first responders to 9/11. When the lungs become irritated, the body's immune system kicks into overload and starts attacking the lung. Unfortunately, this inflammation leads to scarring and that is the problem with PF. Once a lung is scarred, the damage cannot be reversed. The scar tissue makes that portion of the lung useless and performs no function at all. I am sorry to say PF is a terminal illness. I am not saying your dad can't improve, but I am saying the damage that has been done cannot be reversed. There are some research projects looking at drugs that can slow down the process, but as another responder stated, his only chance is a lung transplant.

Pulmonary fibrosis kills over 50,000 people in the U.S. every year and the number of deaths is on the increase (Robert Goulet, the amazing singer just died from PF). Treatment is usually limited to steroids (prednisone) or Interferon. The idea is to reduce the inflammation and slow down the disease. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you neither of those did anything for me. Probably the best thing I did was relocate to the west coast of the US and a to a place with clean air and sea level for an elevation. I also use supplemental oxygen when I exercise and when I sleep. Pulmonary rehabilitation is another thing I can recommend to you. If your dad gets out of the hospital, the pulmonary rehab is really important in improving the quality of his life.

I am sorry to give you such bad news. Make no mistake, this is a terminal illness. He has hope through research and/or a lung transplant. The following are both incredible web sites for more information on PF:

http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/

http://www.coalitionforpf.org/

Again, I am so sorry to hear about your father. Don't give up hope, but be prepared for a heck of a struggle. This is a really lousy way to die. He is going to need all of the strength and support you can give him. Good luck to you all.  (+ info)

is pulmonary fibrosis the same thing as cystic fibrosis?

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is pulmonary fibrosis the same thing as cystic fibrosis?
No they are not the same.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease of the mucus and sweat glands. It affects mostly your lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses and sex organs. CF causes your mucus to be thick and sticky. The mucus clogs the lungs, causing breathing problems and making it easy for bacteria to grow. This can lead to problems such as repeated lung infections and lung damage.

MedlinePlus - Cystic Fibrosis
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cysticfibrosis.html

Pulmonary fibrosis harms the tissues deep in your lungs. The air sacs in your lungs and their supporting structures become inflamed and scarred. If scarring progresses, it makes your lungs thick and stiff. That makes it hard for you to catch your breath, and your blood may not get enough oxygen.

MedlinePlus - Pulmonary Fibrosis
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pulmonaryfibrosis.html

Those two links provide basic information on the subjects as well as links to more in depth information.

I hope this answers your question satisfactorily.

Terry  (+ info)

I am having a hard timefinding alternative meds for pulmonary fibrosis xprt hlp an internet expert can u he?

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I tried google and yahoo for alternative meds for pulmonary fibrosis I know there is no real cure I can only find one chinese herb for alternative meds. I need somebody who is real good at interneting and finding this information for me it would be greatly appreciated for your help.
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=219

check this site out.  (+ info)

Is the cystic fibrosis is one of the example of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

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COPD
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) can indeed lead to a form of COPD due to the development of bronchiectasis that has been caused by repeated lung infections. As for the average life expectancy in Canada it's now 37, however, I know of many adults who are alive and doing fairly well despite their CF in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and even a few in their 60's and one man in his late 70's. Hence, CF is can no longer be considered chiefly as a paediatric disease. In my own case, I have severe lung disease due to bronchiectasis associated with my CF. However, I'm amongst the 10-15% of persons with CF who are pancreatic sufficient. Meaning that I do not need to take enzymes with my meals. My CF is severe due to recurrent lung infections. In fact, my only chance of having a somewhat more normal life will be if a double lung transplant happens in the near future. In my case, severe sinus infections, CF-related arthritis, osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis and milder digestive problems due to reflux are also factors due to my CF. I've been chronically-ill since childhood. In and out of hospital many times, requiring home IV antibiotics for years, etc. My CF was officially diagnosed at age 27 with the nasal potential difference (NPD) test at The Hospital for Sick Children (otherwise known as Sick Kids) in Toronto, Ontario, The NPD test can help make a diagnosis of CF that's been missed by sweat testing and by genetics. The most comprehensive genetics testing for CF is offered in the US by Ambry, and also by Johns Hopkins Hospital, In Canada Sick Kids supposedly tests for many mutations. Currently, 1400+ "known" mutations have been identified thus far and researchers continue to find more associated with CF.

Hope this answer is helpful.  (+ info)

pulmonary fibrosis Is it normal for a feeding tube to be used? will they take it off voluntarily if needed?

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Would it be better if oxygen only helped?
Well, a feeding tube does not have much to do with pulmonary fibrosis, unless the person is so ill that he/she is on a ventilator or is otherwise unable to eat. Theoretically, a feeding tube can be removed after being placed, but it can sometimes be a difficult ethical issue (as in the Terri Schiavo case). If there is no hope of a return to a reasonable quality of life (and I don't know if this is the case here), placing a feeding tube might even be seen as prolonging the suffering of the ill person. It is a difficult decision either way.

I am not sure what you are asking regarding the oxygen. Oxygen is generally helpful for people with pulmonary fibrosis. If the disease has progressed to the point where being ventilated with 100% oxygen is still not enough, then the person is quite ill, and it might be best to sit down and have a frank discussion with the doctors about what is going on and what the goals of care are at this point. Hospice may be an option in such cases, and can help the person stay comfortable, while allowing nature to take its course.

I hope I have answered your questions, and I hope everything works out for the best.  (+ info)

Is intersitial lung disease the same as pulmonary fibrosis?

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I was just diagnosed and researching is confusing!
Yes they are the same the term is
INTERSTITIAL PULMONARY FIBROSIS
so whatever you read they are different ways of saying the same thing  (+ info)

My Mother has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis life expectancy?

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My Mother is in her early 70s, by how much may her life expectancy be shortened?
It depends on the severity of the fibrosis. If we look at Fibrosis as scarring of the lungs, then like scars on the surface of our bodies... depends on where it's at, and how bad the scarring is.

If the fibrosis is mild, then there may be no shortening of life expectancy (however, quality of life may have gone down). If your mom is dependent on oxygen, then the severity is enough to cause some level of life expectancy changes.

Feel free to update your question with more details... the answers can then be more specific and more detailed.

Good luck to you.  (+ info)

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