American Lung Association Initiative for Healthy Air

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…

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…

Editor’s Note: This guest column, by former New York Yankees centerfielder Bernie Williams, is in honor of his father, Bernabé Williams, Sr., who died of complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2001.   Williams is a five-time MLB All-Star who played a central role in the Yankees’ winning four World Series Championships. Following his 16-year…

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease where tissue in the lungs becomes scarred and thickens. This leads to common symptoms such as a persistent cough, shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue, and digital clubbing. Explaining the clubbing of fingers and toes in pulmonary fibrosis Many pulmonary fibrosis patients…

After being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, I resisted seeing myself as disabled. My disease progressed quickly, and within two months I needed to use supplemental oxygen whenever I moved around. I used a portable oxygen concentrator in my work as a marriage and family counselor, even though it…