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...]
Recognizing Early Signs of Infection with IPF
Identifying signs of an infection early is important for anyone. But if you have pulmonary fibrosis, it is especially critical. People with pulmonary fibrosis already have compromised lung function, and an infection can make things worse. If you develop an infection, such as the flu, pneumonia or even a cold, it can make breathing more difficult. Plus, people with pulmonary … [Read more...]
FAQ: GERD, Fatigue & Environmental Exposure
We appreciate our readers submitting questions. We try and choose a selection to answer that is representative of common issues in IPF. GERD and IPF We receive many questions about GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and IPF. This has been a very controversial area of research in IPF. There is good quality data that GERD symptoms and signs of GERD on invasive testing … [Read more...]
Pulmonary Function Tests: What Do They Mean?
Your pulmonologist measures your lung function using different tests. Collectively these tests are called pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The three basic parts are: Spirometry Lung volumes Diffusing capacity Spirometry is the easiest to perform. You basically take a full breath in and then blast out a maximal breath as hard and fast as you can until you are … [Read more...]