There is no single test that will deliver a positive (or negative)Â pulmonary fibrosis (PF) diagnosis. Patients who present symptoms which doctors believe could be PF, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and a persistent cough will have to undergo a series of tests to establish what the problem…
The Realities of a Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
As one of my beloved healthcare providers always tells me, “There is no rule book for living with pulmonary fibrosis.” She says this when we talk about my constant frustration of living with a life-threatening illness, and the unpredictability, anxiety and emotional turmoil that comes with it.
As a person living with pulmonary fibrosis, it’s important to fully understand your disease. Take the time to learn about the condition and how it’s treated, so that you can play a proactive role in your treatment and get the most out of your healthcare team. We’ve put together a list of six…
Esbriet (pirfenidone) stops the lung scarring in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by improving the functioning of mitochondria, cell components that convert food to energy and regulate cell death, according to a study. The therapy centers on mitophagy, the process by which the body purges defective mitochondria. Mitophagy is a mitochondria quality…
Surgery to prevent reflux in patients with interstitial pulmonary disease may slow disease progression, by stopping tiny amounts of contents in the stomach from being repeatedly aspirated into the lungs — a process thought to contribute to disease development in IPF. This was the conclusion of a review looking into gastroesophageal reflux disease —…
As modern medicine and research continue to advance we understand more and more about the respiratory system and discover new ways to treat pulmonary diseases. Throughout history, humans have made some significant discoveries that have paved the way for today’s research and treatment. According to livescience.com, here are a…
For the people around me on a regular basis, I admit I have not been the most pleasant person this week. I have been far from myself and instead have been grumpy, irritable, quiet and mad. This is unlike me and I know it. I also hate…
A recent study found that around half of the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients surveyed had not been fully informed about their treatment by their healthcare team, yet 93 percent of respondents said they wanted to learn about treatments and therapies directly from their doctor rather than other sources. MORE: Only half…
Lung Therapeutics announced June 6 that it has completed a $14.3 million Series B financing round to support development of LTI-03, its lead therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). LTI-03 has already showed promising results for other conditions including scleroderma and cardiac fibrosis. The funds will also support clinical trials, now underway in Australia and…
It’s estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 people are living with pulmonary fibrosis in Canada yet there is little awareness of this devastating disease. Many PF patients require caregivers (usually family members), some of whom have to give up their jobs to look after their loved ones. MORE:Â Four tips…
