Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease of the lungs in which the lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred, creating thickened, stiff tissue. This condition makes it difficult to breathe, leaving patients progressively more short of breath. In many cases, doctors can’t pinpoint the cause of the problem, which is known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis is irreparable, but it can be treated to ease the symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
The main pulmonary fibrosis symptoms can include the following:
1. Dyspnea or shortness of breath
The first symptom patients tend to notice is a shortness of breath when they’re climbing stairs, but it progresses to the point that they may experience it when not moving about. Because this disease tends to occur after 60 years of age, many patients may think that they are simply experiencing another symptom of aging. Shortness of breath can be caused by other long-term or underlying lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so getting tested to find the true cause is essential.
2. Dry cough
A cough that doesn’t go away is another common symptom of pulmonary fibrosis. Coughing is associated with a number of different lung diseases and it may not be immediately linked with pulmonary fibrosis. However, pulmonary fibrosis patients experience a dry, hacking cough, whereas other lung diseases produce a lot of mucus.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom in a lot of chronic illnesses, but when it comes to pulmonary fibrosis, the fatigue can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities. Fatigue is more than feeling tired and isn’t resolved with a good night’s sleep. Instead of treating this symptom, doctors will try to treat the underlying issue that is contributing to fatigue, such as improving sleep quality or using oxygen therapy to address dyspnea. Fatigue is also a common side effect of chemotherapy and the drugs used to kill cancer cells have been known to damage lung tissue, as well.
4. Aching muscles and joints
Pulmonary fibrosis affects the lungs and as the disease progresses and the lungs become even more damaged, not enough oxygen is transported to the organs and tissues. This leads to pain in the muscles and joints. Because of inflammation in the joints, rheumatoid arthritis patients can develop pulmonary fibrosis, causing the muscles and joints to become even more painful.
5. Clubbing of the fingers or toes
Also known as digital clubbing, clubbing of the fingers or toes can occur from a lack of oxygen in the blood. The tips of the fingers or toes become enlarged and rounded, resembling drumsticks. The exact cause of this unusual symptom is unclear, but it is often associated with a lack of oxygen.
