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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Jeremy Feldman, MD

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Definition
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy and Prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Diagnosing & Monitoring PF
    • Monitoring Progress of IPF
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • PF Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
      • Update on Oxygen Use
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
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    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation
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    • Respiratory failure, NSIP, diet
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    • FAQ’s Enzyme Therapy, Progression of IPF & Oxygen
    • FAQ: Diarrhea, Fibrosis Reversal, IPF Symptoms
    • FAQ: Oxygen Flow, Anesthesia & Genetics
    • FAQ: Contagious Cough? Stem Cells, Familial IPF, Flying
    • FAQ: GERD, Fatigue & Environmental Exposure
    • FAQ: How to Travel to Your Doctor’s Office with Oxygen
    • FAQ: Lung Biopsy with Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing
    • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy

Beware: Unapproved Treatments for IPF

October 30, 2019 By Dr. Jeremy Feldman

We appreciate the great topic suggestions that our readers send us.  Many of our readers ask us about unapproved treatments for IPF. Unapproved means not sufficiently researched or approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). 

Stem Cell Infusion 

Over the years I have talked about the dangers of these “treatments”.  The most publicized for IPF is “STEM CELL INFUSION”.  There are many of these locations across the United States.  Patients who are desperate for a cure are often drawn to the polished sales pitches and patient testimonials. The FDA has issued warnings against these treatments. They have not been scientifically proven to be beneficial in the treatment of IPF. Not only are these pretend treatments not helpful, they can be harmful. 

Laser Therapy 

Another unapproved and insufficiently studied treatment is the use of laser therapy to treat IPF.  You can find amazing stories of patients dramatically improved by laser treatment.  These too good to be true stories are just that, too good to be true! 

Over the last few years there have been a couple very small-scale studies in a rat model of IPF.  These models have suggested that there may be some mild decrease in the extent of scar tissue formation in animals that were exposed to a lung toxin and then treated with laser therapy.  These types of animal studies though interesting are a very long way from proving that this treatment is effective in humans.  Save your money and time. In general, treatments that rely on testimonials rather than published scientific data should be avoided.  Unfortunately, at this time, any treatment for IPF that promises a cure is not sufficiently backed by science. 

Nutritional Supplements 

Many patients have also reported purchasing nutritional supplements or enzymes that can improve IPF over the internet.  It sounds so great.  You just pay a few hundred dollars a month and swallow a few tablets. These enzymes will just dissolve the scar in your lungs. What an amazing idea. Unfortunately, there is no combination of supplements and enzymes approved by the FDA to improve or cure IPF.  While good nutrition is certainly important to overall health and may help a member feel well, nutrition is not a treatment/cure for IPF. 

When you eat something, your digestive system breaks down the proteins into their building blocks.  Thus, the enzyme that you put in your mouth reaches your blood stream in tiny fragments called amino acids.  These amino acids are the same basic building blocks that would reach your blood stream if you ate a sandwich or a steak. 

The IPF community is actively working towards the development of effective and safe treatments.  Choose treatments that have been scientifically evaluated and FDA approved or participate in ongoing monitored research studies through your IPF specialist.  If it sounds too good to be true, then certainly it is.  

Filed Under: FAQ's

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What is IPF?

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and IPF
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy & Prognosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diagnosing IPF

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treating IPF

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation

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