The prospect of having a lung transplant may be overwhelming at first. Your main thoughts may be about the physical issues related to the lung transplantation process. But your emotional well-being is also critical. It’s normal to go through a range of emotions during the pre-evaluation process, the waiting period and once the transplant has been performed. Understanding … [Read more...]
Healthy Holiday Season Habits with Pulmonary Fibrosis
The holiday season may involve family traditions, parties and gift giving. But along with the excitement of the season, it might also mean increased activities, stress and fatigue. For those who have pulmonary fibrosis, the added events, travel and preparation may lead to an increased symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Fortunately, you can still enjoy the … [Read more...]
Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonitis vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a somewhat generic term that describes scarring in the lungs. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a very specific term that describes a specific disease process that leads to progressive scarring in the lungs. During the evaluation of scarring in the lungs, your doctor considers a variety of diseases that can cause scarring in the lungs. Two of the … [Read more...]
Sleep Tips for Living with IPF
Quality sleep is essential for overall health. Poor sleep or sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of problems, such as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and irritability. Lack of sleep can also make fatigue worse. Although sleep is vital, most of us do not get enough shuteye. According to the American Sleep Association, about a third of adults report sleeping less … [Read more...]
Do You Know the Difference Between Cold vs. Flu?
In fall and winter, we see an increase in the rates of respiratory virus infections *(upper respiratory infections or URI). We all recognize the common cold with runny nose and congestion, mild sore throat, cough, and headache. There are many different viruses that can cause these mild symptoms. Other respiratory viruses can cause more severe symptoms such as fever, … [Read more...]