FIBROSIS

TYPES

The following are some of the several types of fibrosis:

• Pulmonary fibrosis or lung fibrosis
• Liver fibrosis
• Heart fibrosis
• Mediastinal fibrosis
• Retroperitoneal cavity fibrosis
• Bone marrow fibrosis
• Skin fibrosis

SYMPTOMS

The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of this disease:

• Breathing difficulty (dyspnea)
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
• Unknown cause of weight loss
• Muscle and joint pain
• Widening and rounding of the finger or toe tips (clubbing)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

The severity of the symptoms and the development of this disease might vary considerably from person to person. Some individuals get unwell very rapidly due to severe disease. Others have minor symptoms that progress gradually over months or even years.

Many patients may have a sudden worsening of their illnesses (acute exacerbation). It includes breathing difficulties, which may continue over several days or even weeks. People experiencing severe exacerbations may be placed on a ventilator. For treating an acute recurrence, physicians may also administer antibiotics, steroid medicines, or other treatments.

DIAGNOSIS

To evaluate your disease, your physician may determine your family’s medical history, discuss your clinical symptoms, review any dust, gas, or chemical exposure you’ve had, and do a physical exam. During the physical exam, your physician will listen to your lungs using a stethoscope as you take deep breaths. They may also recommend one or more of the following tests: imaging test, lung function test, biopsy, and blood test.

TREATMENT

This disease has no known treatment. Current therapies try to delay the progression of the illness, relieve symptoms, and keep you healthy and active. Treatments include:

• Medicine. Depending on the type of this disease you have, drugs to delay disease development and others to treat symptoms may be available. Only your doctor can assess whether or not a medication is suitable for you.
• Oxygen Therapy. If your lung disease prevents a healthy amount of oxygen from entering your circulation, oxygen treatment may be recommended. It may assist in alleviating your shortness of breath and make it simpler for you to remain active.
• Clinical Trials. Clinical studies are being done to understand better how this disease develops and enhance the medicines that are now accessible. 

Healthy Lifestyle. Living effectively with this disease requires more than just treatment. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, and lung protection all have an effect on your condition.