Learning to cope with a chronic illness is an ongoing process — and never easy. My entire world was flipped upside down when I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in April 2016. I didn’t know anything about interstitial lung diseases and felt bitter that I had to…
I Use Humor as Part of My Coping Strategy with IPF
Low body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for nausea and diarrhea as side effects of Ofev (nintedanib) treatment in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study has found. These results also suggest that lower performance status and a full starting dosage are risk factors…
Imagine living your whole life with a painful disease so rare that only 25 others worldwide have what you have. And that you’re one of just six such people who’ve made it to adulthood. Neena Nizar doesn’t have to imagine. The 41-year-old English professor at Metro Community College in Elkhorn,…
Impaired autophagy — cells’ self-cleansing process — in the lungs’ epithelial cells may activate their epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process crucial to the progression of fibrosis, according to a new study. The finding  suggests that therapies targeting EMT may help halt fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study, “…
I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting these last few weeks. I don’t know why — I haven’t hit any special milestones such as a birthday or diagnosis anniversary. But I’ve been thinking about the adversity I’ve faced since my diagnosis with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as…
N115, EmphyCorp‘s investigational non-steroidal nasal spray for the treatment of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), has completed a Phase 3 clinical trial requested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new drug application (NDA) in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF). EmphyCorp’s proprietary…
I don’t have children yet, but like most people, I learned nearly everything I know about parenting from my parents. I grew up watching them and learning from them. I have taken note of their good strategies and of the things I might do differently with my kids. My husband…
Taking Esbriet (pirfenidone) to manage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) does not increase the risk of heart problems or interfere with commonly used cardiovascular medications, an analysis found. Results of the analysis were published in the journal Advances In Therapy in an article titled, “Cardiovascular Risks,…
Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease in which the air sacs in the lungs, called the alveoli, become scarred and stiff, making it difficult to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. To address some misconceptions about the prognosis of pulmonary fibrosis and life…
As a condition of being placed on a lung transplant list, I had to show that I had social support. My wife was my main caregiver, but she would need a break now and then. Fortunately, several friends offered to help with caregiving duties. However, our need for…
