Living with Pulmonary fibrosis
A lung condition in which deep lung tissue becomes thick, stiff, and scarred, making breathing harder.
Understanding Pulmonary fibrosis
The scarred tissue gets thick and stiff, which makes it hard to catch your breath and may keep blood from getting enough oxygen. Causes include air pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and interstitial lung disease. In most cases the cause can't be found, which is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. GARD says there is no cure, but treatments can help with symptoms and quality of life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Shortness of breath
- Dry, hacking cough that doesn't get better
- Tiredness
- Weight loss with no known reason
- Aching muscles and joints
- Widened, rounded fingertips (clubbing)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Lung Association
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says causes include environmental pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and interstitial lung disease. In most cases the cause can't be found.
Also known as: cirrhosis of lung; fibrosis of lung; pulmonary interstitial fibrosis; pulmonary scarring
Patient organizations
- American Lung AssociationPulmonary fibrosis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Pulmonary fibrosis.
Explore research for Pulmonary fibrosis
Explore actively recruiting Pulmonary fibrosis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Pulmonary fibrosis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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