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What is Pulmonary fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is the umbrella term given to a number of diseases which impact the pulmonary system in a negative way. Most commonly presented as an increase in alveolar thickness, high mucous formation and formation of scar tissues in the lungs.
Breaking down the terms, pulmonary refers to conditions of the lungs and respiratory system and fibrosis is the formation of thick fibre, increased thickness or scarring tissue in an organ.
What are the common symptoms of Pulmonary fibrosis?
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Dry cough
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Shallow breathing
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Unexplained weight loss.
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Fatigue
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Breathlessness in routine activities.
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Fainting fits
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Dizziness after workout
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Shortness of breath in climbing stairs or hiking.
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Tiredness without extra work.
Visit the best lungs hospital in Pune if you are experiencing any of the symptoms to get the finest treatment.
How do I know if I have pulmonary fibrosis?
There is no way for you to know by yourself. If you experience any of the above symptoms, visit a pulmonologist or lung doctor and get yourself tested. Your doctor will check your vitals, and do a physical examination after which you will be prescribed a few tests such as:
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Breathing Test
A trained physician checks your breathing capacity and strength.
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Blood Test
Certain biomarkers in the blood help doctors verify if the patient has any lung infection or if they are suffering from fibrosis.
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Imaging Tests
Full body imaging such as X-Ray, CT Scan and MRI are used to create detailed images of internal body organs so the doctor can accurately assess the degree of fibrosis and accordingly devise treatment plans.
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Oxygen desaturation study
Detailed studies are carried out on patient samples to assess for oxygen saturation, to analyze lung function.
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Biopsy
This is a test performed in case the fibrosis is difficult to verify for origin. If the tissue is a cancerous growth or a scarred tissue, can be deciphered using small tissue sample extraction from the patient.
What are my treatment options?
If you have been positively diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, It is not the end of the world! Consult with your doctor for the prognosis.
Depending on the extent of damage to the lungs and the causative condition, your doctor will advise you on the treatment plans available.
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Medication
Certain medications can help alleviate discomfort and bring relief.
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Lung Fibrosis Treatment
If there is a particular medical condition causing fibrosis, your doctor will start treatment for it so as to halt the fibrosis progression.
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Surgery
If the fibrosis is caused by an infection, or disease which is growing, surgery might be used to help preserve life.
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Transplant
In rare cases where fibrosis has hampered a majority of the lung space, the transplant might be the only option left to preserve life.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that, if diagnosed timely, can be treated successfully. Patients should not panic but instead trust doctors for timely checkups and clinical intervention.
How can I prevent pulmonary fibrosis?
In order to prevent pulmonary fibrosis we need to understand the risk factors around it. Some causal agents linked to pulmonary fibrosis are tobacco consumption, smoking, and exposure to toxins like asbestos. Patients living in close proximity to industrial areas of smoke production have been recorded with higher instances of lung fibrosis.
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Living in a clean environment away from smoke is the first step towards preventing the disease.
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Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is another.
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Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
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Eating fresh fruits and vegetables to promote healthy body function is a sure way to preventative care.
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Going for annual health checkups and consulting with your doctor any time you observe an abnormality in your health is important.
Manipal Hospitals Kharadi has some of the best lung doctors in Pune. Our pulmonologists in Pune are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of lung conditions. Visit your nearest Manipal Hospitals for all your health concerns or book an appointment online for expert consultation at your fingertips.
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