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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
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation
  • PF Advocacy & News
  • FAQ’s
    • Respiratory failure, NSIP, diet
    • Leg swelling, lung biopsy, side effects & pets
    • 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

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

August 31, 2015 By Dr. Jeremy Feldman

Diagnosing IPF

Knowledge is power!  We hope to spread the word about IPF to empower patients and caregivers and drive interest in treatment and research to find a cure for IPF.  We are participating in a national and international effort to raise awareness about Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

What is IPF?

IPF is an as yet irreversible scarring process of the lungs.  The two cardinal symptoms are shortness of breath and dyspnea.  Most patients have slowly progressive symptoms.

How Common is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

There are approximately 100,000 people with IPF in the United States.  Each year about 34,000 new patients are diagnosed.  Over the next 20 years, we expect these numbers to increase dramatically due to the aging of the baby boomers and improved survival of patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis.  Most patients are diagnosed in their sixth, seventh or eight decade of life.

5 Easy Ways to Make a Difference

It does not matter if your contribution is big or small.  The important thing is to be part of the national and international voice calling for more awareness about IPF.  Below are some easy ways to make a difference.

1.     Engage in social media.  In just a few minutes you can visit, like or follow organizations and foundations dedicated to IPF.  The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis and this site are great places to start.  Another great site is Patients Like Me.

2.     Write your congressman or senator.  It works.  Let your elected officials know that pulmonary fibrosis is a priority for research support.

3.     Attend an event.  Across the country there are walks and runs to honor patients with IPF and raise money and awareness.

4.     Share your story.  You will be amazed at the response you will get.  You can do this the old-fashioned way and talk to family and friends or you can zoom into the 21st century and tell your story on the Internet.

5.     Donate time, energy or money to the cause.  Without your energy and financial support, we can’t make progress in fighting this deadly disease.

Did you know?

The first cases of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis were described in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  In 1944, two pathologists systematically described a family of lung diseases including IPF.  The definition of IPF was further refined in 1969.  The modern diagnostic criteria date to 2001 with the first international consensus statement.  The diagnostic criteria have been modified periodically thereafter with a new statement by the American Thoracic Society in 2011.

Hundreds of treatments have been tried for IPF and all failed until October 15, 2014 when Esbriet and OFEV were approved.   There are now more than 10 new medications in clinical trials and many more being planned.

Filed Under: IPF Healthcare

Featured Blog Posts

Esbriet approved by FDA

Managing Esbriet Side Effects

prescription for Ofev (nintedanib)

Managing OFEV Side Effects

activity with IPF

Tips for Making the Most out of Your Pulmonary Rehabilitation Classes

Recent Posts

  • New Drugs Moving Forward for IPF
  • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy
  • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing

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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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