Diseases
pulmonary fibrosis
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- A dry cough
- Unexplained weight loss
- Aching muscles and joints
- Widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes (clubbing)
- Fatigue
Causes
- Occupational and environmental factors: Long-term exposure to a number of toxins and pollutants can damage your lungs. These include: Silica dust, Asbestos fibers, Hard metal dusts, and Coal dust
- Radiation treatments: Some people who receive radiation therapy for lung or breast cancer show signs of lung damage months or sometimes years after the initial treatment.
- Many drugs can damage your lungs, especially medications such as: Chemotherapy drugs. Drugs designed to kill cancer cells, such as methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, others) and cyclophosphamide, can also damage lung tissue. Heart medications. Some dr…
- Some antibiotics. Antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin, others) or ethambutol can cause lung damage.
Risk factors
- Age. Although pulmonary fibrosis has been diagnosed in children and infants, the disorder is much more likely to affect middle-aged and older adults.
- Sex. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is more likely to affect men than women.
- Smoking. Far more smokers and former smokers develop pulmonary fibrosis than do people who have never smoked. Pulmonary fibrosis can occur in patients with emphysema.
- Cancer treatments. Having radiation treatments to your chest or using certain chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of pulmonary fibrosis.
Diagnosis
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests
- Breathing tests
- Oxygen desaturation study
- Biopsy
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is pulmonary fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?
Shortness of breath (dyspnea), A dry cough, Unexplained weight loss, Aching muscles and joints, Widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes (clubbing), Fatigue
What causes pulmonary fibrosis?
Occupational and environmental factors: Long-term exposure to a number of toxins and pollutants can damage your lungs. These include: Silica dust, Asbestos fibers, Hard metal dusts, and Coal dust; Radiation treatments: Some people who receive radiation therapy for lung or breast cancer show signs of lung damage months or sometimes years after the initial treatment.; Many drugs can damage your lungs, especially medications such as: Chemotherapy drugs. Drugs designed to kill cancer cells, such as methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, others) and cyclophosphamide, can also damage lung tissue. Heart medications. Some dr…; Some antibiotics. Antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin, others) or ethambutol can cause lung damage.
Which medicines are used for pulmonary fibrosis?
nintedanib, pirfenidone
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