When diagnosing patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), doctors will use a spirometry device to determine the severity of the condition. A forced vital capacity test (FVC) is needed to assess how efficiently a PF patient can breathe; patients take a deep breath and then exhale into the spirometry device for…
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Nordic Bioscience will collaborate on the development of biomarkers that can help diagnose and keep tabs on the status of fibrotic diseases like pulmonary fibrosis (PF). A biomarker is a molecule that can be used to diagnose a disease or predict its progression by…
I started noticing a change in my vision about a year ago. I’ve had the same prescription for glasses and contact lenses for 20 years. I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis almost three years ago, and didn’t notice any changes in my vision for…
Healthy Air is an initiative run by the American Lung Association (ALA) that aims to education people on how to improve the air they breathe, avoid pollution and help influence public policy to improve the air quality. MORE: Four ways the American Lung Association helps patients manage their lung disease.
Throughout this yearlong journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), to which I am an unwilling participant, I have often spoken with others about the benefits of having something positive to look forward to. Knowing something good is on the horizon helps in coping with this disease — whether…
Having a chronic illness presents many challenges for patients, not only in terms of managing the symptoms they suffer but also having to deal with people’s preconceived ideas about invisible illnesses. MORE: Did you know that pulmonary fibrosis can be difficult to diagnose and treat? Dr. Amy Stenehjem spent much of…
Esbriet (pirfenidone) was as effective as prednisone and better than acetylcysteine at inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs of rats with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a study. The research, “Effects and mechanisms of pirfenidone, prednisone and acetylcysteine on pulmonary fibrosis in rat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis models,” was…
I had a frightening incident happen the other day that has left me a lot more protective of my oxygen tank, where I leave it and how often I keep an eye on it when interacting with others. Despite living with rapidly progressing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I…
If you have a chronic lung condition, you’ll need to protect your lungs from being further irritated by unhealthy air. We’ve put together a list of ways to help protect your lungs against unhealthy air using information from the American Lung Association. Check the daily air pollutant forecasts. …
NuMedii, a company that applies computer-based artificial intelligence (AI) to medical analysis, has teamed up with Three Lakes Partners, a Chicago-based investment and philanthropic organization, to develop drugs to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disorder that involves scarring of the lungs, leading to serious breathing…
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