What is the Course of Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Your doctor first evaluates your lungs to diagnose your condition. They will take your medical history, do a physical exam and other tests to be done. Once a diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan will be developed to control your symptoms and help you feel better. You will be monitored on your treatment plan and changes will be made as needed.

The course of the disease varies from person to person. It may stay the same for a long time, even years, or it may change very quickly (which is rare). The one common factor of pulmonary fibrosis is that it begins with inflammation that may affect different areas of the lung. Examples of different types of inflammation include:

Bronchiolitis: the inflammation of the walls of the bronchioles, which are the small airways

Alveolitis: inflammation of the walls and air spaces of the alveoli, which are the air sacs

Vasculitis: inflammation of the capillaries which are the small blood vessels of the lungs

Fibrosis, or scarring of the lung tissue, results in the permanent loss of the tissues' ability to breathe and carry oxygen normally. The severity of the loss depends on the amount of scarring.

In the progressive form of pulmonary fibrosis, the lung tissue becomes very stiff and thick. Breathing becomes more and more difficult. If the condition is found before scarring occurs, it is possible to prevent further damage to the lungs.

There are a Few Specific Diseases that Cause Pulmonary Fibrosis

Sarcoidosis: disease that involves the growth of granulomas, or areas of inflammatory cells. This disease can attack any body organ, but is most often found in the lungs. The cause is unknown. Symptoms may include dry cough, shortness of breath, mild chest pain, tiredness, weakness, and weight loss. It is most common in young adults age 20-40 years old.

Hystiocytosis X: disease that begins in the bronchioles and damages the small blood vessels. A diagnosis may be made by bronchoalveolar lavage, which is the removal of lower respiratory tract cells for testing. Symptoms include dry cough without sputum, difficulty breathing with activity, and/or chest pain. A % of cases are long term with the loss of lung function. The cause is unknown, but most people affected are or used to be cigarette smokers.