What is life expectancy for a patient with pulmonary fibrosis?

Answer

Before you read the following please realize that the mental state of the way you look at this disease is extremely important. The mind is a wonderful thing and you can actually get well by believing you will. Scientists have no doubt in their minds that in the future people with diseases will be able to heal themselves on most diseases on their own. Get exercising, eat right, keep busy and act as if everything is A-OK. By doing this you are tricking the mind. The immune system is the essential part of your body and start taking homeopathic forms of immune system boosters, BUT BE SURE YOU PASS THIS BY YOUR DOCTOR AND SPECIALIST AND THEY AGREE ON IT. Some herbal medications can cause problems with some conventional treatments.

Pulmonary fibrosis develops when the alveoli, tiny air sacs that transfer oxygen to the blood, become damaged and inflamed. The body tries to heal the damage with scars, but these scars collapse the alveoli and make the lungs less elastic. If the cycle of inflammation and scarring continues, the lungs become increasingly unable to deliver oxygen to the blood. Changes in the lungs can also increase the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. This condition, called pulmonary hypertension, makes the heart work harder and it may fail.

Pulmonary fibrosis can result from many different lung diseases including sarcoidosis, drug reactions, autoimmune diseases, environmental allergies such as Farmer's lung, and exposure to toxic dusts and gases. Pulmonary fibrosis that develops without a known cause is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This disease is equally common in men and women. It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60.

Causes and Symptoms:

The causes and risk factors vary with the underlying disease. They may include genetics, environmental factors, and infections.

The first symptom of pulmonary fibrosis is usually shortness of breath-at first, during exercise, but later also while resting. Patients may also have a dry cough, a rapid heartbeat, or enlargement of the fingertips and ends of the toes. Some people feel tired or have a fever, weight loss, muscle or joint pains. In late stages of the disease, the lack of oxygen in the blood can give the skin and mucus membranes a blue tinge known as cyanosis.

Diagnosis:

Patients who are suspected of having Pulmonary fibrosis are often referred to a lung specialist. Several tests are usually needed to diagnose this disease and determine its cause. They include a physical examination, detailed history of the symptoms, chest x rays, lung function tests, and blood tests, including a measurement of the amount of oxygen in the blood. Computed tomography (CT scan) may give a more detailed picture of the lungs. Bronchoscopy may be done to examine the air passages and analyze the cells found deep in the lungs.

Lung biopsies are necessary to diagnose some diseases. Lung biopsies can be done through a needle inserted into the chest through the skin, during bronchoscopy, or as a surgical procedure under general anesthesia.

Treatment:

The treatment of pulmonary fibrosis depends on the underlying cause. Many diseases are treated by suppressing inflammation with corticosteroids. Stronger immune suppressants such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) or azathioprine (Imuran) may also be tried. Some patients need supplemental oxygen. A lung transplant may be an option for incurable diseases. Approximately 60-80% of patients live for at least two years after the transplant.

There is no good treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Only 10-20% of patients with this disease respond to corticosteroids.

Therapies & Treatment:

Anxiety and fear can make breathing difficulties worse. Some people find that activities such as yoga, prayer or meditation, music therapy, or biofeedback help to relax them.

Prognosis:

The prognosis depends on the specific disease. Some cases may stop progressing or improve, particularly if the cause can be identified and treated. Others may develop quickly or slowly into end-stage lung disease. The course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is very difficult to predict; however, average survival is approximately five to seven years.

God Bless (Keep the faith!)

First answer by Marcy. Last edit by Marcy. Contributor trust: 3004 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 49 [recommend question]

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