Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive chronic lung disease where the tissue in the lungs becomes scarred and stiffens. This can lead to a multitude of symptoms including breathlessness, persistent coughing, fatigue, joint pain and for some patients, weight loss.
Pulmonary fibrosis symptoms: Aching joints and muscles
Weight loss in pulmonary fibrosis patients tends to happen slowly over time as the disease progresses. There are several possible reasons for this: medications used in the treatment of PF can, for some, cause nausea and lack of appetite; others may suffer from depression (fairly common in PF patients), which can often lead to a decreased appetite; in rare cases, some PF patients can develop hepatic congestion due to fluid retention, which can lead to a fluid build-up in the liver that can make the patient feel full after eating only a small amount.
Lower oxygen levels in the blood can contribute to fatigue which can make preparing and eating food tiring for PF patients. This can be treated with oxygen therapy, which will increase the level of oxygen in the blood stream and make the patient less fatigued. Find out more about weight loss in pulmonary fibrosis.
Explaining the clubbing of fingers and toes in pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
This is very helpful reading. When I was diagnosed with Scleroderma, I already had ILD-now I have the pressure Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension . Weight loss was a primary symptom, inability to climb stairs (lack of oxygen ). Cold all the time etc. Thanks!
Hi, there is calcium deposit in my left lung. Doctor told me to go for operation.Is there anyother option without operstion. I am 25 years old Nd getting weight loss.
Thank you, I found the information about loosing weight very helpful, because I didn’t realise that it was part of my Pul. fibrosis. I’m down to 11-3 from 13-7, I hope it dosn’t Go too much lower. I still feel sad that I have PF and I never smoked even one cigaret.
Sounds familiar. I,m 79 and 2 years ago 7/17 and (now its 8/19) I was diagnosed with IPF. Prior to that my last cigarette was in 1968. Infrequent social smoker before that. Only meds were fish oil and baby aspirin. Runner all my life. It threw me for A loop. Graduated high school at 129, now weigh 121 and concerned. My wife is a experienced nurse and live in Doctor. I’m fortunate. The goal is to increase
my calorie levels and snack between meals. Easier said than done. If I exercise I burn calories so now what to do! Problem. Completely bamboozled at this point.
The IPF is a bitch of a problem. Why me?
Ive gone from 242 to 178 in about a year. Way to much. I am now a mission to find out why
Im sorry my sister has ipf and i desperate she weights 73 pounds and the doctors are not doing anything….
My beloved wife passed away just two days ago in one year her weight went from 110 pounds to 63, she would have 5 spoonfuls of soup and be full, she just couldn’t eat anymore. We assumed it was anorexia, it wasn’t until I read this article that I realised she had little if any chance of surviving the disease. Please spread the word as much as you can, I really do not want any more people going through what we did, her wasting away and me not able to help