The Basics of Pulmonary Fibrosis and When to Seek Care
What You Need to Know About Pulmonary Fibrosis: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
A flight of stairs made you more winded than you remember. The workout you used to love has become harder to get through without taking breaks. Although some changes in breathing are expected as we age, ongoing shortness of breath can sometimes signal a more serious issue, including lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis.
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
As you inhale, your lungs take in and filter oxygen. As you exhale, they get rid of carbon dioxide. Normally functioning lungs expand and contract to exchange these gases for the body. But if you have pulmonary fibrosis, tissue in your lungs becomes inflamed and scarred.
When your lungs become scarred, they become thicker and more rigid. These changes in your lungs mean they have a harder time doing their job – they can’t take in as much oxygen need to distribute to the rest of your body.
Whereas common respiratory illnesses get better with time and/or treatment, pulmonary fibrosis gets worse. Additionally, common respiratory illnesses will often cause trouble exhaling, while pulmonary fibrosis can cause problems inhaling.
Common Pulmonary Fibrosis Symptoms
If you have pulmonary fibrosis, you may experience shortness of breath, especially during activity, which can make exercise feel more difficult or limit how much you’re able to do. You may also feel unusually fatigued or develop a persistent, dry cough that can be difficult to control. Although pulmonary fibrosis affects the lungs, some people may also notice finger or toe clubbing, a change where the fingertips or toes become rounded and no longer follow a straight line.
Who is Most at Risk for Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop the condition. In many cases, the cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown.
Pulmonary fibrosis is most common in people over age 50, particularly those with a history of smoking. Exposure to certain substances at work or in the environment may also increase your risk, including asbestos, mold, and silica dust.
Certain autoimmune conditions are also associated with a higher risk of pulmonary fibrosis. These include rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, scleroderma and lupus.
Family history may play a role too. Some forms of pulmonary fibrosis can run in families, but having a relative with the condition does not mean you will develop it.
In fact, most cases of pulmonary fibrosis are considered idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause. If you have concerns about your risk or are experiencing symptoms such as ongoing shortness of breath or a persistent cough, talk with your doctor about whether you should be evaluated.
When to See a Pulmonologist
It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between symptoms of a common respiratory infection and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis. If you’ve been treated for a respiratory illness but some symptoms don’t go away, it’s a good idea to follow up with your doctor.
You should also talk with a pulmonologist if you have ongoing shortness of breath, a dry cough that doesn’t go away or isn’t explained by another condition, or you find that you can’t exercise as much as you could recently.
How Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosed?
If you’re noticing symptoms, your primary care provider will refer you to be evaluated by a pulmonology specialist, like those available at Birmingham Pulmonary Group. At your first appointment, your provider will ask about your health history and talk with you about any factors that may increase your risk.
From there, you’ll have a physical exam. Your provider will listen to your lungs and measure your heart rate. He or she may also check your oxygen saturation (how much oxygen is in your blood) by attaching a clip to one of your fingers and check your weight.
If your provider suspects pulmonary fibrosis, you will undergo additional testing, such as pulmonary function testing. These tests check how much air you can forcefully exhale from your lungs, how much air your lungs can hold, and how efficiently your lungs move oxygen into your blood.
Your provider may also request a CT scan of your lungs. This scan will create a detailed picture of your lungs so your provider can better assess the severity of your condition. Other diagnostic tests may be additionally ordered based on your specific situation.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment and Disease Management
There is no cure for pulmonary fibrosis, but treatment can help slow the disease and manage symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help slow further lung scarring and reduce inflammation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation, which may include exercise and breathing exercises, can also help you stay active and manage your symptoms. If your blood oxygen levels are low, your doctor may recommend oxygen therapy to help keep them at a healthy level.
Simple lifestyle changes may also help you feel better. If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important things you can do for your lung health. Eating smaller, balanced meals made with minimally processed foods, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular physical activity can also help. Be sure to listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself too hard when exercising.
Your pulmonary specialist will work with you to find the right combination of treatments for your needs. Keeping your regular appointments is an important part of managing pulmonary fibrosis and staying as healthy as possible.
Take a Breath and Call Birmingham Pulmonary Group
Don’t ignore breathing problems that don’t go away. If shortness of breath is making it harder to keep up with your daily activities, it’s time to talk with your doctor. While many breathing problems have common causes, it’s important to find out what’s causing your symptoms and rule out more serious conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis.
Start by talking with your primary care provider, who can help you begin the referral process to Birmingham Pulmonary Group. Our team can provide specialized care and help you better understand and manage your lung health.