Abnormalities in DNA methylation — a type of genetic modification that can alter the activity of a gene without changing its sequence — may affect a person’s risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a new study. The researchers say this work has uncovered “novel roles” for…
DNA changes in lungs may influence disease risk in IPF: Study
“How can I help you?” When was the last time you heard those five simple words? My next question may be even harder to answer: When was the last time you asked someone how you could help them? When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January…
Sometimes when I think about our life after my husband Donnie’s pulmonary fibrosis (PF) diagnosis, I think of the infamous “pivot” scene from the television show “Friends.” Donnie would be playing the part of Chandler, doing his best to navigate all the obstacles and inch the couch up the…
A protein called PIEZO1, which helps cells in blood vessels detect mechanical forces, plays a key role in driving pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a new study indicates. Findings suggest that blocking the activity of PIEZO1 and the signaling pathway it controls may be a useful strategy for developing new…
A single decision, likely made in a split second by someone I’d never met, saved my life. On the morning of July 9, 2021, I received a call that donor lungs were available for me, and my future went from impossible to possible. When I was diagnosed on Jan.
Last in a series. Read part one. When the tests to determine if I would be diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) finally gave me clarity, I thought the hardest part of my journey was behind me. In reality, the diagnosis marked the beginning of a new chapter…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a generic version of Ofev (nintedanib) for easing lung scarring in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The new generic nintedanib oral capsules, available in 100 mg and 150 mg dosages, will be marketed by Cipla. In a…
No one would voluntarily join the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community. After all, who would want to be a part of the rare disease world? When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January 2017, the idea of a disease-specific community seemed elusive. Most people I knew…
Mariners, for as long as their ships are at sea, rely on navigation skills to safely reach their destination. The tools and techniques they use have improved over time. While some ships may still post lookouts on occasion or use a lighthouse to identify hazards, the process of moving a…
My husband, Donnie, has been introducing our youngest daughter to the Marvel universe. Watching the movies together, I told her that she and Donnie are like Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, because they both need a little mechanical help to keep their bodies working as well as possible.
