Q:
Do you know how to manage pulmonary fibrosis?
A:
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when scars form in the lung. It is a progressive disease and can cause serious breathing problems. If you get idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, you may have symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, nail clubbing and unexplained weight loss.
Currently, there is no cure for the disease, but some treatments can help you manage the disease. The common treatments include medication, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplant.
Medication
- Pirfenidone (Esbriet) to slow the progression.
- Nintedanib (Ofev) to slow the progression.
- Anti-inflammatory medications to fight the inflammation.
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy can help you maintain normal blood oxygen levels and make you breathe better.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you improve your lung function and ease symptoms.
Lung transplant
Lung transplant is only for people with very severe pulmonary fibrosis. They may live longer after the surgery, but the surgery may also have some complications such as rejection and infection.
You should consult your doctor before taking any treatment.
Keywords: pulmonary fibrosis management
