Pulmonary fibrosis - causes and signs of pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis affects the alveoli, the sacs in the lungs that perform one of the most important functions of the entire system - supplying the blood with oxygen. This damage is caused by the growing connective tissue, which also takes up extra space and causes scarring, which only worsens the condition of the lungs over time
With pulmonary fibrosis, the alveoli are damaged - those sacs in the lungs that perform one of the most important functions of the entire system - supplying the blood with oxygen. This damage is caused by the growing connective tissue, which also takes up extra space and causes scarring, which only worsens the condition of the lungs over time. This disease is progressive, the consequences are extremely severe, but with timely assistance, the mortality rate is not high, although a fatal outcome is possible, especially if the disease is neglected.
Causes
The causes of this disease have not yet been established. But statistically, risk groups have been identified, which include cases of:
- frequent interaction with gaseous pesticides, inhalation of toxic fumes;
- also at risk are cases of frequent exposure to small pollutants in the lungs, which can be of very different (organic or inorganic origin), for example, flour, dust;
- heredity plays an important role in the development of this disease;
- smoking can also become a catalyst for the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
It has been noted that the age of most patients is over 40 years.
Sometimes pulmonary fibrosis develops as a complication of post-tuberculosis, and an increase in the number of patients has also been noted in places with unfavorable environmental conditions and high levels of air pollution.
Symptoms
Pulmonary fibrosis progresses quite slowly, its appearance usually remains unnoticed, since the symptoms become pronounced only after a long time. Thus, the patient seeks advice from a pulmonologist only after several months or even years from the onset of the disease. The main symptoms of this disease include:
- attacks of dry cough;
- weight loss;
- rapid fatigue (due to insufficient blood oxygen saturation);
- shortness of breath, which intensifies after exercise;
- a characteristic symptom is an increase in the phalanges of the fingers.
Diagnostics
An experienced pulmonologist for the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis relies on both the pronounced symptoms and questioning of the patient, as well as on specific examinations, among which the most common are:
- blood test;
- CT scan of the chest organs;
- lung biopsy is a surgical intervention during which the surgeon takes a sample of lung tissue tests.
Treatment
All existing methods of treating pulmonary fibrosis at the moment are aimed only at improving the clinical condition of the patient, reducing the rate of development of the disease, since the disease itself remains incurable.
Nevertheless, there are effective ways to significantly slow down the development of fibrosis, reduce its consequences for the rhythm of life and restore working capacity:
- oxygen therapy to reduce shortness of breath and fatigue;
- drug treatment;
- a set of special exercises.
As a last resort, a lung transplant operation is used.
Prevention
The main element of prevention is quitting smoking. It is advisable to move to a more ecologically clean area, where, however, it will not be a problem to make an appointment with a pulmonologist to continue treatment. It is also important not to neglect chronic heartburn and infectious diseases that affect the lungs, it is recommended to get vaccinated against pneumonia. It is also necessary to adhere to the rules for handling toxic substances, adhere to safety rules at work.
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