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...]
FAQ: Diarrhea, Reversing Fibrosis, IPF Symptoms
Your IPF Questions Answered I would like to thank our readers for asking outstanding questions. Are there any good options to help deal with the diarrhea that can occur with the medications that are approved for the treatment of IPF (OFEV and Esbriet)? Our approach has focused on adjusting diet to increase fiber and then adding over-the-counter Imodium. If that is not … [Read more...]
A New Approach to Diagnosing IPF?
The current approach to diagnosing IPF requires careful review of high-resolution CT scan images of the lungs integrated with other data from history and physical exam and pulmonary function testing. Unfortunately, many patients are left with an uncertain diagnosis and require invasive testing such as a surgical lung biopsy. Current best practice has been to proceed with … [Read more...]
How is My Pulmonary Fibrosis Doing?
Unfortunately in IPF, we currently have no therapy that improves lung function. As a result, we settle for stability as the goal of therapy. Currently approved therapies (OFEV and Esbriet) have both been shown to reduce the rate of decline in lung capacity compared to placebo. How do we track the progression or stability of IPF? There are three broad ways that your … [Read more...]
What if My Pulmonary Fibrosis is Getting Worse?
The first and most important point is that regular evaluations of your lung function and exercise capacity are important to identify if your IPF is getting worse. Patients may feel worse for many reasons—some lung related and others in no way related to lung function. As a result, I am a believer in regular pulmonary function testing and six minute walks. In the patient … [Read more...]