by Vonda J. Sines

Created on: May 29, 2011   Last Updated: June 01, 2011

When Sarah noticed that the signs of acid reflux disease had reappeared after years of being under control, she made an appointment to see her doctor.  She assumed that following a change in medication, the symptoms would once again disappear.  She certainly wasn’t prepared for a diagnosis of an incurable respiratory problem known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

According to MedlinePlus, this disorder involves a scarring or thickening of the lungs.  Over time, lung tissue becomes stiff.  The development of scar tissue is known as fibrosis and makes it impossible for a person’s lungs to efficiently transfer oxygen to the bloodstream.

The cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains murky. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation suggests that it might be the result of epidemiological or genetic conditions or a combination of both.  The illness is a subgroup of a category of related disorders known as interstitial lung diseases.

Among the most likely epidemiological causes is cigarette smoking. Prolonged exposure to substances like asbestos, hard metal dusts and animal proteins in the environment and lung infections that were bacterial or viral in origin are potential culprits.  Other possible causes include the use of specific antibiotics, anticonvulsants and drugs used in chemotherapy.

Researchers have noted a link between IPF and acid reflux disease (GERD), as well as a connection to upper respiratory infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis.  They just don’t know why.

They have determined, however, that 10 to 15 percent of patients have other family members with this disorder.  At least one study has suggested that individuals with certain genes might suffer from a more severe form of the illness than those without this genetic makeup.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation reports that two-thirds of patients have been smokers at some point in life.  The illness strikes more males than females, typically from the 40s through the 60s.  Some estimates suggest that up to 200,000 Americans might suffer from IPF.

Symptoms

The signs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can vary significantly from one patient to another.  Affected individuals occasionally report chest pain.  If a cough is present, it is usually a dry cough.

Many patients experience a drop in the amount of activity they can tolerate each day.  Shortness of breath during a period of

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>