Reflecting on My One Year Post-Diagnosis

Reflecting on My One Year Post-Diagnosis

April 7 has arrived just like any other day (as I expected it would), but it holds so much more significance and meaning for me now. After 13 months of testing and various appointments, it was confirmed that I had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) on April 7, 2016, which…

New Probe Specifically Targeting Collagen in Lungs Promises to Improve PF Diagnosis, Treatment

A new imaging strategy shows promising results in improving the diagnosis and treatment of people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The study, “Type I collagen-targeted PET probe for pulmonary fibrosis detection and staging in preclinical models,” appeared in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed…

4 Breathing Exercises for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Breathing exercises are important for pulmonary fibrosis patients as they help to better control breathing if they experience a sudden shortness of breath, strengthen their diaphragm and clear excess mucus. Here are four breathing exercises that may benefit people with pulmonary fibrosis, using information from the Lung Institute…

Foundations Collaborate to Expand Educational Resources on IPF, Lung Diseases

The France Foundation will be working together with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to expand its educational resources on major interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). According to a press release provided by the France Foundation to Pulmonary Fibrosis News, the collaboration will provide education…

Eating These Foods Can Help You Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D

Most of us have probably been reminded to take our vitamins, or pushed to eat something because it’s “full of vitamins”—and it’s true, getting vitamins is incredibly important. Especially during the winter when some people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, which can be impacted by low levels of vitamin D. But…

Options for Portable Oxygen Use Away from Home

Last week, I shared my thoughts about different oxygen options to use at home. This week, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned about different types of portable oxygen possibilities to use away from home. The suggestions I’m sharing are based on my own experience, and I…

Pulmonary Fibrosis Symptoms: Shortness of Breath

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease where the tissue in the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs becomes scarred, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. One of the most common symptoms presented by pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients is shortness of breath. Five questions you should ask your doctor…