Questions for Health Care Providers – Pulmonary Fibrosis

According to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, there are some questions you should always keep in mind to ask your health care provider, to help you understand more about your disease and how it will affect your daily life.

The most important thing is that you trust your health care provider and feel comfortable to address him/her with any type of question you may have. To help you with this, we’ve come up with some handy tips which may help you when addressing your concerns:

• How will PF impact what I can and cannot do? Pulmonary fibrosis will limit your daily life in some aspects, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life. You will have to adapt your routine towards what your body and your health needs and your doctor can help you understand how you can achieve the necessary changes.

• What should I do and whom should I contact if I have any problems with my PF? You should always have a backup plan in your life, someone you could call if something happens to you, even when you’re perfectly healthy. When suffering from pulmonary fibrosis this is doubly important. Ask your health care provider to give you a contact who you can call day or night, week days or weekends, to help you if you have any concerns or issues.

• Will my treatment interfere with other medications I’m taking? If you’re introduced to a new type of medication or treatment and you’re already being treated for something else, ensure you talk to your physician and advise them about it. Even if it’s just vitamins or supplements, it’s extremely important your doctor is aware of all medications you’re taking so they can help you with the right type of treatment and avoid secondary reactions.

• Are there resources which can help me to lead a healthier lifestyle? You should try to have a healthy and active lifestyle all the time, but while living with pulmonary fibrosis this is even more important. With PF you might feel you’re somehow limited in what you can do, but it’s just a matter of trying to adjust your life in a way where you can do the things you love and make you feel good, without jeopardising your condition. Talk to your health care provider and address questions concerning diet, exercise, and support groups.

Learn more about pulmonary fibrosis: http://bit.ly/1lfMsiZ

Read more questions you can ask your health care provider here: http://bit.ly/1R6gAtc