It means scarring of the lung tissue. The damaged and scarred tissue thickens and stiffens, thus hindering the lungs from working normally. If there is heavy scarring of the lung tissue, it may lead to breath loss, like chronic trouble breathing, and even cause a reduction in oxygen levels in blood.
Lung fibrosis occurs in many forms and can be categorized based on their cause:
While the actual cause of lung fibrosis is not often known, several factors are proposed to be involved in the development of this condition.
Modifiers include genetic factors in some cases. Mutations in particular genes, like those involved in lung tissue repair and inflammation, could lead to enhanced risk for pulmonary fibrosis. A family history of lung disease is a major risk factor.
Exposure to some environmental substances, notably occupational ones, can cause long-term lung fibrosis. These exposures include:
Asbestos: The substance is very common in most old buildings and in shipyards.
Certain medications and radiation therapy can damage the lungs and cause scarring. These include:
The immune system responds abnormally to healthy tissues in autoimmune diseases. Therefore, it attacks them and can result in lung fibrosis. Conditions that are linked to lung fibrosis include:
Chronic infections, usually such as tuberculosis or some kinds of viral infections, may trigger DD lung damage and scarring. This kind of infection may bring long-lasting inflammation and fibrosis to the organ.
The symptoms of lung fibrosis vary in severity and, in most cases, develop slowly. The most common symptoms are:
One of the most common symptoms of lung fibrosis and often one of the first ones to happen is difficulty breathing during physical exertion. After some time, even simple things like walking and climbing upstairs are not possible to do easily.
Another common symptom is a dry, persistent cough that doesn't seem to get better. This cough may be annoying and progressive.
Lung fibrosis can result in a considerable amount of fatigue and weakness. Since the oxygen level in the blood has fallen, it becomes difficult for the body to perform day-to-day tasks adequately, which makes a person tired.
Unintentional weight loss can occur due to a decrease in appetite and increased energy that the body expends for breathing.
Clubbing is a condition in which the tips of the fingers and toes are rounded and swollen. It can lead to advanced states of lung fibrosis, which results from a chronic, insidious deficiency of oxygen in the blood.
Some people will experience a dull aching or discomfort in the chest. This may occur due to the stiffening up of the lung tissue and extra effort requiring for breathing.
Establishment of lung fibrosis diagnosis requires medical history, physical examination, imaging tests, pulmonary function tests, and sometimes a lung biopsy.
A detailed medical history is taken to identify possible causes or risk factors for the condition, such as occupational exposures, medications, or underlying autoimmune diseases. During physical examination, the doctor will examine the patient by listening to the presence of crackles in both lungs using a stethoscope.
Imaging tests diagnose and determine the extent of lung damage, thereby diagnosing lung fibrosis.
A chest X-ray may point out the affected lung areas where scarring or inflammation has occurred. The chest X-ray is normally included in the first imaging tests ordered when lung fibrosis is suspected.
High-resolution computed tomography is a scan that produces images of the lungs at very high resolution, thereby picking up even minute details. A chest X-ray is less sensitive, but it may detect patterns of lung scarring. It helps in the diagnosis of lung fibrosis and its differentiation from other lung diseases.
Pulmonary function tests show how well the lungs are working. These tests include measurements for:
It measures the quantity of air a person is able to inhale and exhale and how fast he can do it. Reduced lung capacity can be indicative of lung fibrosis.
This test is conducted for measuring the extent to which lungs can easily allow oxygen into blood. Reduced diffusing capacity may indicate lung fibrosis.
Blood tests may indicate underlying disorders that can contribute to the lungs, such as autoimmune diseases or infections. These tests can include:
In some cases, a lung biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. A small sample of the lung tissue is removed and viewed under the microscope for signs of fibrosis and cause determination. Biopsy procedures range from bronchoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to open lung biopsy.
Summary
Lung fibrosis is a critical condition that calls for timely diagnosis and management. Many times, the process of understanding the causes, symptoms, and testing methods might help in early detection and treatment. If you or your loved one shows signs and symptoms of lung fibrosis, seek immediate medical attention to ensure its timely treatment. A patient with lung fibrosis can lead a better quality of life and treat symptoms efficiently with proper care and management.
HELP CENTRE
<p>We’re Star Health. We offer the coverage that’s designed to help keep you healthy. It's the care that comes to you, and stays with you.</p>
How does fibrosis start?
<p>Fibrosis represents the final result of chronic inflammatory reactions mediated by various stimuli such as persistent infection, autoimmune reaction, allergic response, radiation, chemical insult, and tissue injury.</p>
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