Pulmonary Fibrosis

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is where the tissue in your lungs becomes thickened and scarred over time. This scarring (fibrosis) damages the structure of the lungs and makes them stiff, which means they can’t expand and contract as easily as they should.

As a result, it becomes harder for your lungs to function properly, causing breathing problems and reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches your blood. Over time, even simple daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, become increasingly difficult.

What causes pulmonary fibrosis?

In many cases, the condition’s cause is unknown — this is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the condition can also result from:

• Long-term exposure to environmental toxins (like asbestos or dust)
• Radiation therapy
• Certain medications
• Autoimmune diseases
• Past lung infections

The Southwest Pulmonary Associates team works to identify the cause when possible to better manage your condition.

What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?

Possible pulmonary fibrosis symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during activity
• A dry, persistent cough
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Aching muscles
• Clubbing (widening of the fingertips)

Pulmonary fibrosis tends to worsen gradually, and while the damage is irreversible, early diagnosis and treatment help to slow its progression and improve your quality of life.

How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a physical exam, a review of your symptoms, and imaging tests like a chest X-ray or CT scan.

The Southwest Pulmonary Associates team may also perform pulmonary function tests to measure how well your lungs are working. In some cases, they use advanced tools such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to collect lung tissue samples and examine deeper parts of the lungs safely and accurately.

Is there a cure for pulmonary fibrosis?

There’s no cure for pulmonary fibrosis, but treatments can help slow the disease and improve your quality of life.

Medications are available that can reduce lung scarring and delay disease progression. Oxygen therapy may make breathing easier, and pulmonary rehab helps improve lung function through exercise and education.

Quitting smoking, staying active, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding lung irritants like dust and fumes are also key steps, and it’s important to stay up-to-date on vaccines to prevent respiratory infections.

Southwest Pulmonary Associates works closely with you to develop a personalized plan to manage your symptoms and maintain optimal lung health. Call the office to schedule a pulmonary fibrosis evaluation or request an appointment online today.