Interstitial Pneumonia is a term used to describe a large family of non-infectious lung diseases. The most common entities include non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Less common members of this family include acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), respiratory … [Read more...]
Scleroderma Associated Pulmonary Fibrosis: A New Study
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is just one of many types of pulmonary fibrosis. In patients with IPF, no other cause can be found and the disease has a typical radiographic pattern and when biopsied has a characteristic appearance under the microscope. Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease characterized by skin thickening, esophageal … [Read more...]
6 Complications of IPF
Patients with IPF often have to contend with multiple problems related to their lung disease. Cardinal symptoms are shortness of breath and cough. These symptoms lead to evaluation that eventually includes a high resolution CT scan of the chest. In some cases a lung biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis and in others the diagnosis can be … [Read more...]
4 Myths About Your Lung Health
There is no shortage of bad information on the Internet. Don’t believe everything you read. Below is a short list of some of the biggest lies, scams or bogus information that populates the Internet. Myth #1: Vaccinations are Unsafe Nothing could be further from the truth. Much of the improvement in our life expectancy we owe to … [Read more...]
Pulmonary Fibrosis Support: A Patient’s Story
Being diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or advanced lung disease of any cause provokes anxiety even for the bravest. An essential part of coping with your new diagnosis is educating yourself. Over the years I have had patients whose initial response to learning of their disease was denial. They just pretended that they don’t have the … [Read more...]