Patient Advocacy: A Privilege or a Curse?

Patient Advocacy: A Privilege or a Curse?

I had an experience last night in the emergency room that has left me thinking a lot. So I decided to turn my thoughts into a column — and I am curious to hear how those of you also living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) feel about patient…

Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Genetic?

Although most cases of pulmonary fibrosis are not genetic and often unknown when it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, there are rare cases where the condition runs in families suggesting a genetic link to the disease. MORE: The relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Researchers have isolated…

IPF Patients on Esbriet Live Approximately 2.5 Years Longer Than Untreated Patients, Study Finds

Esbriet (pirfenidone) improved life expectancy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by approximately 2.5 years compared to best supportive care, according to recent research. The study, “Predicting Life Expectancy For Pirfenidone In Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis,” was published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy. Esbriet has been…

6 Pulmonary Fibrosis Causes and Risk Factors

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease where the tissue which surrounds the air sacs (called alveoli) become scarred, making it difficult for oxygen to get into the bloodstream. Since there are various causes and risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis, we’ve compiled a list of some of the main causes and…

How Do You Counter Feelings of Helplessness?

For the friends and colleagues who see me regularly, many of you know this week was particularly challenging for me. In addition to recovering physically from my latest medication dose and being sick, I also was dealing with the emotional swings of the steroid injections. My puppy…

LOXL2 Protein Helps Promote Lung Scarring, Study Shows

The LOXL2 protein plays a critical role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by helping promote lung tissue scarring, according to a study. LOXL2 is one of a family of proteins important to extracellular matrix (ECM), a non-cell component essential for providing structural and biochemical support to tissues and organs. LOXL2…

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