What is pulmonary fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the common respiratory diseases, in which tissue deep inside the lungs is damaged, thickened, harder due to loss of elasticity (elasticity) and scarring. These scars are called pulmonary fibrosis. Because the lungs are scarred and stiffer, it will limit the patient's ability to breathe. To understand the basics of this disease, please join us in the following article.

Pulmonary fibrosis limits the patient's ability to breathe.

1. Risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis

1. Age: Although pulmonary fibrosis has been diagnosed in children and newborns, the disease most likely affects middle age and elderly people.

2. Gender: In general, men are more likely to develop pulmonary fibrosis than women.

3. Labor and environmental toxins: There is a risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis if working in agriculture, mining, construction or exposure to pollutants known to cause lung damage.

4. Radiation and chemotherapy: There are methods of treating chest radiotherapy or using some chemotherapy drugs to make it more susceptible to lung fibrosis.

5. Risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Although the causes of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are not known, researchers have identified a number of factors that seem to increase the risk:

1. Smoking: A lot of smokers and smokers are more likely to develop spontaneous pulmonary fibrosis than those who have never smoked.
2. Genetic factors: A rare type of family-induced spontaneous pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers have not yet identified specific genes involved, but they have discovered genetic changes in the respiratory and airway proteins of people with spontaneous pulmonary fibrosis.
3. Virus: Many people report symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis after suffering from a viral disease, especially herpes virus, Epstein-Barr . Researchers are considering viruses that may play a role. in lung disease.

2. Symptoms, manifestations of pulmonary fibrosis

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:

1. Shortness of breath.
2. Dry cough.
3. Tired.
4. Unexplained weight loss.
5. Muscle and joint aches and pains.

Patients often have difficulty breathing, dry cough.

The most common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are difficulty breathing , especially during or after physical activity, and a dry cough . It usually does not appear until the disease gets worse, and it is not possible to reverse existing lung damage. Even then, symptoms can be alleviated.

Breathing disorders often get worse gradually, and may eventually appear in regular activities - like dressing, talking on the phone, even eating. At this point, symptoms cannot be ignored.

The development of pulmonary fibrosis and the severity of symptoms can vary significantly between one person and another. Some people get sick very quickly to a serious condition. Others have moderate symptoms and develop worse over a period of months or years.

3. Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis

When suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, the cause must be treated. The problem of lung transplantation ( pulmonary replacement) was also mentioned in some cases of diffuse pulmonary resistance to medical treatment, the frequency of live lung replacement after 1 year was 74%, 58% after 3 years, 47% after 5 years, 24% after 10 years.

In the future there may be two new ways to treat diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, first with treatment of epithelial cell damage inhibitors or repair, anti-cytokine and inhibitory drugs. birth of fibrous cells; The second method is expected to be based on the molecular mechanism of fibrogen production by acting on the gene (believed to be most effective).

In the case of severe pulmonary fibrosis, the plan for lung replacement will be carried out. A good news for pulmonary fibrosis patients is the FDA, the US Food and Drug Administration, approved Xvivo infusion device - a new device that can preserve the visceral lungs outside the body for transplantation. for patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis. This device will help support successful treatment for many pulmonary fibrosis and other dangerous respiratory diseases. The device consists of a sterile chamber where the lungs are stored and connected to a wide range of pumps and oxygen supply filters. The lungs can be stored in the machine for up to four hours, which is the time required for doctors to consult for the transplant.

During the year only 1 number of lung organs met the medical standards for transplantation. By giving doctors more time to check on agencies, there will be more successful transplant opportunities. In 2012, 1,754 cases of lung transplants were performed in the United States but still 1,616 patients were still on the waiting list.