Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Genetic?

Although most cases of pulmonary fibrosis are not genetic and often unknown when it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, there are rare cases where the condition runs in families suggesting a genetic link to the disease. MORE: The relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Researchers have isolated…

Esbriet (pirfenidone) improved life expectancy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by approximately 2.5 years compared to best supportive care, according to recent research. The study, “Predicting Life Expectancy For Pirfenidone In Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis,” was published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy. Esbriet has been…

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease where the tissue surrounding the air sacs in the lungs becomes scarred. This scarring, or fibrosis, makes it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. The common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, weight loss and loss…

I still remember the day I found out I needed to use supplemental oxygen. It was June 2014. I had gone to a follow-up appointment with my pulmonologist after he prescribed a six-week course of prednisone to reduce inflammation in my lungs. My lungs were harmed by…

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease where the tissue which surrounds the air sacs (called alveoli) become scarred, making it difficult for oxygen to get into the bloodstream. Since there are various causes and risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis, we’ve compiled a list of some of the main causes and…

For the friends and colleagues who see me regularly, many of you know this week was particularly challenging for me. In addition to recovering physically from my latest medication dose and being sick, I also was dealing with the emotional swings of the steroid injections. My puppy…

The LOXL2 protein plays a critical role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by helping promote lung tissue scarring, according to a study. LOXL2 is one of a family of proteins important to extracellular matrix (ECM), a non-cell component essential for providing structural and biochemical support to tissues and organs. LOXL2…

Life is tough for people with a chronic illness, but through the pain and the fatigue and all the other symptoms and side effects, they show an extraordinary passion for life and try to achieve as much as possible. With help from themighty.com, we’ve compiled a list of eight remarkable…

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), a trusted resource for the estimated 200,000 Americans with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), has published its new “Pulmonary Fibrosis Information Guide“ —  which gives patients, family members and healthcare providers a better understanding of PF as well as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The 36-page guide, available online here and…

I have always been active and independent growing up. I like to meet new people and explore the outdoors. I enjoy learning and am committed to professional development. And I get excited and enthusiastic about new initiatives in my personal life, in my education and in my career.