Editor’s note: A continuation of the monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” I am happy to report that things are on a slow but gradual upswing. As I wrote in my previous miniseries column, July was not one of my favorite months of 2018. However, August was a bit…
Dealing with a serious chronic illness like pulmonary fibrosis can be highly stressful, to say the least. Absorbing the seriousness of our illness, alongside dealing with repeated clinic visits, tests, and medication side effects can leave many patients wrestling with worry and anxiety. It’s easy to get stuck…
The Envisia Genomic Classifier test for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis received a draft Medicare local coverage determination (LCD) through the MolDx (Molecular Diagnostics) service program, according to Veracyte. The decision is a key step in making the test widely available to patients, the company says.
Updated international guidelines to help clinicians diagnose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. These new 2018 clinical practice recommendations are the result of a collaborative effort between experts from four major respiratory societies — the American…
A new in vitro lung tissue-on-a-chip system mimics tissue stiffening in pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and offers an accurate and rapid way to test treatment candidates, according to a new study. The study, “Fibrotic microtissue array to predict anti-fibrosis drug efficacy,” was published in the journal Nature…
Following a life-threatening illness diagnosis, most patients learn to cope with their new reality in unique ways. Some patients seek professional help, such as counseling, for chronic illness coping strategies. Many patients lean on family and friends, while other patients learn to cope on their own through trial…
Lung cancer is more prevalent among men with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) than women, and affects smokers at a higher rate, according to a systematic review of published studies. Researchers also found that squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer reported in IPF patients. The study, “…
Lately, I’ve been dealing with some aches and pains. Although I try to get up and move around a lot, being sedentary has resulted in body aches, pain, and stiffness. I’ve come up with some solutions that have helped me. I hope they’ll help you, too. Pain on…
Modifying the dose of Esbriet (pirfenidone) can effectively reduce the number of treatment-related adverse events without affecting the drug’s potential to manage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a new retrospective analysis of data from Phase 3 clinical trials shows. The findings of this recent post-hoc analysis were published in…
Following the diagnosis of a life-threatening lung disease like pulmonary fibrosis (PF), patients and their families often go through days, weeks, and sometimes months feeling confused, angry, and fearful. This diagnosis is emotionally shattering, and it is also mentally exhausting. It can feel like your mind is…
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