Pulmonary Fibrosis: Recognizing the Signs and Why Early Detection Matters
September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about a group of lung diseases that can make breathing increasingly difficult—and to understand why recognizing symptoms early matters.
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a condition in which lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff. As the lung tissue becomes less flexible, it can become harder for the lungs to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to increasing shortness of breath and reduced ability to do everyday activities.
Pulmonary fibrosis affects everyone differently, and there are many different types and causes. But one thing is important for everyone to know:
Persistent changes in your breathing should not be ignored.
What is pulmonary fibrosis?
The word fibrosis means scarring. With pulmonary fibrosis, scar tissue develops in the lungs and can interfere with normal lung function.
There are many different forms of pulmonary fibrosis. Sometimes a cause can be identified, such as exposure to certain substances, medications, autoimmune diseases, or other medical conditions. In other cases, the cause is unknown. When no specific cause can be identified, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
PF is different from conditions such as asthma or COPD, although some symptoms can overlap. This is one reason why getting the right assessment and diagnosis is so important.
Know the symptoms
The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis can develop gradually. Because they may initially seem like a normal part of getting older or becoming less active, they can sometimes be overlooked.
Common symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath, particularly with activity
A persistent dry cough
Fatigue or reduced energy
Decreased ability to exercise or perform usual activities
Unexplained weight loss in some people
A feeling that everyday activities are becoming increasingly difficult
Some people may also develop changes in their fingertips called clubbing, although this does not occur in everyone. Clubbing is when the last section of the finger, including the nail, has a rounded or swollen shape.
One of the most important symptoms to pay attention to is breathlessness that is new, persistent, or getting worse over time.
Getting older does not automatically mean becoming increasingly short of breath.
If you notice that you are becoming more breathless doing activities that used to be easy—such as walking, climbing stairs, gardening, or shopping—it's worth talking with your healthcare provider.
Why early detection matters
Pulmonary fibrosis can be difficult to diagnose because its early symptoms can look like other respiratory (lung) or cardiovascular (heart) conditions.
A healthcare provider may consider your symptoms, medical and family history, environmental or occupational exposures, and other risk factors. Testing may include a breathing test (pulmonary function testing), imaging such as a CT scan, and blood tests.
An earlier diagnosis can be valuable because it gives you and your healthcare team more time to understand what is happening and develop an appropriate plan.
Depending on the type of pulmonary fibrosis, treatment may include medications that slow the progression of fibrosis, management of symptoms, pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen when needed, and other supportive care.
Although PF can’t be cured, early diagnosis can mean getting the right treatment sooner to slow progression, ease breathing symptoms, and improve daily quality of life.
Can pulmonary fibrosis be prevented?
This is an important question, and the answer is complicated.
Not all types of pulmonary fibrosis can be prevented. Some forms have no known cause, and we cannot control all of the factors that contribute to developing the disease.
However, there are steps you can take to protect your lungs and reduce certain risks.
Know your exposures
Some types of PF are associated with long-term exposure to substances such as dust, molds, and certain chemicals. Occupational exposures can be particularly important for people who work in industries where they may regularly breathe in dust or other airborne substances.
If your work or hobbies involve airborne particles or chemicals, learn about the risks and use appropriate protective measures.
If you are concerned that your breathing problems could be related to something you're exposed to at work or at home, discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Don't smoke
Smoking can damage the lungs in many ways and is an important risk factor for numerous respiratory diseases.
If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your overall lung health.
If you would like help quitting, reach out to a Registered Respiratory Therapist in the Poplar Clinic. Call 236-361-3480 to book your free 15-minute Welcome Session.
Protect yourself from respiratory infections
Respiratory infections can be particularly challenging for people with chronic lung conditions. Repeated lung infections can trigger or worsen pulmonary fibrosis.
Stay up to date with vaccines recommended for you, practice good hand hygiene, and take reasonable precautions when respiratory viruses are circulating.
Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about which vaccines are appropriate for you.
Don't normalize breathlessness
Perhaps the most important message for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month is simple:
Don't ignore changes in your breathing.
It's easy to say:
"I'm just getting older."
"I'm out of shape."
"I need to slow down."
"It's probably nothing."
If you are becoming progressively more short of breath, developing a persistent dry cough, or noticing that your ability to do everyday activities is declining, it's worth getting checked.
Your lungs are trying to tell you something.
Your lungs deserve attention
There is no single symptom that can tell you whether you have pulmonary fibrosis. Many conditions can cause shortness of breath and coughing, and only a healthcare professional can determine the cause.
You know your body better than anyone. If something about your breathing has changed and isn't going away, speak up and seek medical assessment.
At Poplar Pulmonary Wellness, we believe that understanding your lungs is an important part of taking care of them. Respiratory Therapists can help you better understand your symptoms, breathing, medications, exercise tolerance, and overall respiratory health—and help connect you with the appropriate healthcare services when further assessment is needed.
This September, take a moment to learn about pulmonary fibrosis, share what you've learned with someone you care about, and pay attention to changes in your own breathing.
Early recognition can be the first step toward getting the right answers, the right support, and the right care.
Reach out to our Respiratory Therapists to book your free 15-minute Welcome Session. Give us a call at 236-361-3480 to book. For online support, join the Poplar Community for resources and to post your questions to a Respiratory Therapist in The Big Chat.