Hello! I have just found out that my grandfather suffers from pulmonary fibrosis. He is at the hospital at the moment but his doctor told us he would be better soon and we should expect to see him home in a few days. He also told us this was a progressive disease and that he could die in three to five years. How is this possible? What does pulmonary fibrosis cause?
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Hello! Pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal illness that scars the lungs and ultimately affects the ability to breathe and obtain enough oxygen. Pulmonary fibrosis begins with repeated injury of the alveoli which leads to scarring (fibrosis), which stiffens the lungs and makes breathing difficult. There is currently no cure for pulmonary fibrosis since lung scarring that occurs in pulmonary fibrosis can't be reversed. Many people are treated with corticosteroids initially and may end up with lung transplantation which is usually an option for younger people.
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There is a medication OFEV that will slow the progression of scarring down. I have been on it a little over a year and my last breathing test in Jan was (I was breathing better than the first one a year before. I do now have pain in my lower back left side which I am hoping is not the lung hardening. I will know more on Fri after my Upper Gi I hope.
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