When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, the disease was a mystery to me. I’ve shared before that when my wife, Susan, and I left the clinic following my diagnosis, we began to search for information from the parking garage. That thirst for…
The need for pulmonary fibrosis awareness never ends
A University of Colorado professor has won the 2024 Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease for his work into how genetic and environmental factors, including smoking, contribute to a person’s risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — when the disease is due to unknown causes. The $15,000 prize…
Living with pulmonary fibrosis is already a daunting challenge, but when coupled with a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, the burden becomes even heavier. Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, can significantly impact both sleep quality and overall health. For…
Buckle up. The past three weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me. On a scale of -10 to 10, I’ve hit both extremes. I’m no stranger to emotion; some would say I wear my heart on my sleeve. During my journey I’ve had some huge emotional ups and…
Avalyn Pharma has started a Phase 2b clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of AP01, its investigational inhaled formulation of pirfenidone, in adults with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The MIST trial (NCT06329401) is expected to enroll 300 progressive PF patients, who will receive either one of…
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. That line is adapted from a 1785 poem by Robert Burns titled “To a Mouse.” I had an entire month of columns planned for this Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, but that plan went awry. When I wrote…
Researchers have identified immune cell populations that could be used to help distinguish fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study suggests. People with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is a rare type of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), show elevated levels of certain types of immune cells in the…
My name is Sam. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, and I hate this disease. My life was extended by a bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, thanks to an unknown donor who gave me a gift for which the value cannot…
This September, supporters will participate in advocacy, educational, and fundraising activities intended to raise awareness about pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in honor of PF Awareness Month. As it does each year, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) will play a central role in the…
Before I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I had only one dietary restriction: cucumbers, which were my nemesis. I wasn’t allergic, but they gave me immediate and intense heartburn. At that time, I had no idea about the dietary restrictions imposed on lung-transplant…
