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...]
Lung Disease at High Altitudes
A common question we receive from our readers and patients is whether it is safe for patients with chronic lung disease to travel to higher elevations. For the sake of this discussion we will use 5,000 ft. or greater as high altitude. This is an important question since many of the tourist attractions are either at higher elevation or require driving across mountains that … [Read more...]
Why Sex is Important for IPF Patients
Sex is part of life and can be part of life after a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. Most patients are reluctant to talk about this topic with their doctor. And Dr. Ruth does not offer much guidance for patients with lung disease. I wrote on this topic last in 2015 and it is time to revisit this issue. Why Is Sex Important for Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis? Sex is an … [Read more...]