Trust me when I say that this column does not come without a lot of behind–the–scenes work to try to change my thinking so I can offer a more positive message. I still can’t say I practice what I preach. But I do want to share an…
The Freedom That Comes from Letting Go of What I Should Have
For some chronic lung disease patients, their lung function declines so much that they need to have a lung transplant. However, it’s a complicated procedure and recovery can be slow. To ensure you have the healthiest recovery possible, you’ll need to adhere to a few basic rules, according to the…
The McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University has received a $10 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for its part in a project that aims to uncover the genetics behind several lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, in…
If you are active on social media and have a chronic illness, you’ve probably come across the term “spoonie.” The word comes from a woman’s explanation of how she has to manage her energy levels each day.  As she was in a cafe at the time, she grabbed a bunch of spoons…
French researchers have identified 41 gene mutations in lung cancers associated with pulmonary fibrosis, a discovery that could lead to new therapy targets for both diseases. The findings applied to both non-idiopathic and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Non-idiopathic cases are those that doctors have found a cause for, while Idiopathic cases…
When I sit down to write these columns, I often reflect on something that has been difficult throughout my journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). I usually focus on something that has changed as a result of my disease — something I have lost, or something that…
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be a challenging disease for a care provider. To help provide support for IPF caregivers, Pulmonary Fibrosis MD has some useful resources. MORE: Pulmonary fibrosis caregivers encouraged to ‘take a breather’ 1. National Caregivers Library This site provides information…
Supplemental oxygen during exercise can improve pulmonary fibrosis patients’ breathing and workout capabilities, according to a report in the journal Respirology. A key feature of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is higher levels of damaging oxygen oxidants, or substances that oxidize other substances. These compounds trigger tissue scarring known as…
Former New York Yankees baseball player Bernie Williams joined the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) recently as they lobbied members of Congress to raise awareness about the impact idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has on patients and families. “My father passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and I’m eager to raise awareness of the…
In this video from Boehringer Ingelheim Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Professor Vincent Cottin and Professor Luca Richeldi discuss which biomarkers are reliable for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and can predict the disease’s progression. MORE: Sputum analysis could be an alternative…
