Lung scarring, called pulmonary fibrosis, is a serious, permanent condition, but treatments are available.
Lung scarring changes the normally thin tissue in the lungs into thick, scarred tissue.
This makes it difficult for oxygen to reach your bloodstream, leaving you short of breath.
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There are more than 100 conditions that can lead to lung scarring.
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What Causes Lung Scarring?
In most cases, the body heals the damage, and the lungs function normally.
However, in the case of more serious damage, scar tissue forms.
Types of Lung Scarring
There are many different types of lung scarring.
Here is an overview of some of the most common.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosisis the most common throw in of lung scarring.
The word idiopathic means of unknown cause.
Its more common in people who had severe COVID infection, as well as in males and older people.
Other symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:
Lung scarring is permanent.
Once youve been diagnosed, youll be living with a chronic, progressive, life-limiting disease.
For most people, the ability to breathe becomes more difficult over time.
Still, medications and treatment can help.
How Is Lung Scarring Diagnosed?
Healthcare providers will use a physical exam and extensive testing to diagnose lung scarring.
How Are Scars on the Lungs Treated?
Lifestyle Tips to Find Relief
Getting the diagnosis of lung scarring can be really frightening.
Living a healthy lifestyle and nurturing your physical and emotional health can help.
Here are some tips:
Whats the Outlook?
The average life expectancy for someone with lung scarring is three to five years.
However, some people live much longer than that.
When that happens, you may experience symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and coughing.
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Alrajhi NN.Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: an ongoing concern.Ann Thorac Med.
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.Types of pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
MedlinePlus:Pulmonary fibrosis.
American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?November 17, 2022.
American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?May 5, 2023.
American Lung Associataion.Lung transplant and pulmonary fibrosis.
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November 17, 2022.
