This column comes from a place of physical and emotional exhaustion, so please bear with me. I know I’ll regain the physical strength in a couple of days, and I know the emotional toll will decrease as well, and I’ll see things a little more clearly soon enough. As Annie…
Shorter telomeres — the DNA regions that protect the ends of chromosomes — are linked to lower survival rates in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients who receive a lung transplant. These patients’ lungs start failing sooner than those of other patients, suggesting that telomere length may be a factor to consider…
When you’re living with a life-threatening illness such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it often feels like everything is on overdrive. What I mean is that I often feel oversensitive to the comments people make, or how they might react to seeing me on oxygen, and this…
Having pulmonary fibrosis has an impact on many aspects of life. A person may not be able to walk, climb stairs, or may just tire easily. However, one can still enjoy life and its simple pleasures, such as going on vacation. Traveling requires a lot more planning with pulmonary fibrosis. Here are…
Lungs are an essential part of the respiratory system that allow our bodies to receive oxygen. This is our most important ability, since every cell requires oxygen to function. We take in air through our nose or mouth, which then travels through our wind pipe and into our lungs. The…
The American Lung Association‘s website includes its “Inspire” forum dedicated to pulmonary fibrosis patients and caregivers. The online platform has over a million members who discuss various topics and share practical advice and emotional support with others. It also allows users to stay up to date on news about research, new treatments,…
A molecular cascade that prompts stem cells used in lung transplants to drive fibrotic processes is responsible for the low survival rates of patients who obtain transplants, according to a study. The research also identified potential treatments to slow the fibrosis or scarring process. The good news is that is that the…
This is a difficult blog to write I’ve been making decisions about how to spend my limited time and energy wisely. I was hoping to bounce back after I experienced a decrease in lung function about two months ago. But a trip to my doctor caused me…
What’s your nighttime routine like? In this humorous video from Gifted Lift, Lauren gives us a sneak peek into her nighttime routine as a person with a chronic illness. Find out how we can work together to raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis. Having a healthy snack, enjoying life to the fullest, checking in…
After a week filled with others doing things to help me, including spending more than six hours on a weeknight helping me move to a new home, I was thrilled to be able to do something for someone else this weekend. The joy I felt from cooking…
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