This is a difficult column to write because I have always enjoyed doing things for other people. However, since my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in April 2016, I have had to learn the hard way that sometimes I need to put myself first. Lately, I am…
A new, wireless home monitoring program designed to collect data on lung function from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in real time showed good results and was approved by patients in a Dutch pilot study. Findings showed that spirometry measurements, which assess the amount and/or speed of air inhaled…
The patientMpower digital healthcare app now offers a “share” tool that allows patients with pulmonary fibrosis and like conditions to easily keep caregivers, friends, and family members aware of their progress, according to a blog on the company’s website. The interactive mobile platform — the basis of the…
There are many different memes, quotes, and metaphors out there about how different personalities make us all unique. I am sure you can think of people you love who are entirely different in their personalities, and how each of them is skilled or excels at different tasks. They…
Serotonin — a chemical produced by nerve cells — aggravated pulmonary fibrosis by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress (an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses), and activating fibrosis-associated genes in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, a new study shows. The study, “Serotonin Exhibits Accelerated…
A scary moment I recently had a scare while in my backyard. I was cutting some ivy, an easy task I can do without bending over or digging in the dirt. I had a full tank of oxygen with me, and I was trimming on my back…
People close to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and those they interact with — from family members and acquaintances to healthcare professionals — influence their acceptance of their disease and quality of life, a small U.K. study reports. It found that a solid understanding of IPF’s nature and disease…
I’ve experienced increased sensitivity to comments, gestures, or unusual behavior from others since my IPF diagnosis. Sometimes this is attributed to the medications I take for the management of my disease, such as high doses of steroids. At other times, I feel increasingly sensitive because I am aware…
A plant compound called parthenolide significantly reduces lung fibrosis and its associated inflammatory responses, according to a study conducted in mice with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The work also exposed the mechanisms behind parthenolide’s actions, providing a deeper understanding of lung fibrosis’ mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The study,…
The American Lung Association’s Better Breathers Club is now extending its resources and support network to patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), among others with chronic lung diseases. Getting a PF diagnosis can be overwhelming, as the disease remains without a cure and is characterized by a progressive decline in lung health.
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