Pulmonary fibrosis: Difference between revisions
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'''Pulmonary fibrosis''' is a irreversible and progressive disease in which the [[pulmonary alveoli|air sacs]] of the [[lung]]s become stiff and hard to fill, making breathing increasingly more difficult. It is a member of the class of [[interstitial lung disease]]s (ILD). A number of forms of the disease come from industrial exposure to coal dust or sand blasting; other cases are due to drug reactions, and sometimes the cause is never known (i.e., [[idiopathic]] pulmonary fibrosis). It may be secondary to other diseases such as [[scleroderma]] or [[rheumatoid arthritis]].<ref name=Found>{{citation | {{TOC|right}} | ||
'''Pulmonary fibrosis''' is a irreversible and progressive disease in which the [[pulmonary alveoli|air sacs]] of the [[lung]]s become stiff and hard to fill, making breathing increasingly more difficult. It is a member of the class of [[interstitial lung disease]]s (ILD). | |||
==Etiology== | |||
A number of forms of the disease come from industrial exposure to coal dust or sand blasting; other cases are due to drug reactions, and sometimes the cause is never known (i.e., [[idiopathic]] pulmonary fibrosis). It may be secondary to other diseases such as [[scleroderma]] or [[rheumatoid arthritis]].<ref name=Found>{{citation | |||
| url = http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/education | | url = http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/education | ||
| publisher = Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation | | title = What is IPF? | ||
| publisher = Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation}}</ref> Familial pulmonary fibrosis is inherited. <ref>{{citation | |||
| url =http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/fpf.aspx | |||
| title = Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis: Center for Genes, Environment and Health | |||
| publisher = National Jewish Health. | |||
==Pathology== | ==Pathology== | ||
Formally, it is a "process in which normal lung tissues are progressively replaced by [[fibroblast]]s and [[collagen]] causing an irreversible loss of the ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream via [[pulmonary alveoli]]. Patients show progressive [[dyspnea]] finally resulting in death."<ref>{{MeSH}}</ref> | Formally, it is a "process in which normal lung tissues are progressively replaced by [[fibroblast]]s and [[collagen]] causing an irreversible loss of the ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream via [[pulmonary alveoli]]. Patients show progressive [[dyspnea]] finally resulting in death."<ref>{{MeSH}}</ref> | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
There is no approved treatment, although there are many supportive measures, and | There is no single approved treatment, although there are many supportive measures, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common indication for [[lung transplantation]], which is not without risk. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 26 June 2010
Pulmonary fibrosis is a irreversible and progressive disease in which the air sacs of the lungs become stiff and hard to fill, making breathing increasingly more difficult. It is a member of the class of interstitial lung diseases (ILD).
Etiology
A number of forms of the disease come from industrial exposure to coal dust or sand blasting; other cases are due to drug reactions, and sometimes the cause is never known (i.e., idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). It may be secondary to other diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis.[1] Familial pulmonary fibrosis is inherited. Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
Treatment
There is no single approved treatment, although there are many supportive measures, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common indication for lung transplantation, which is not without risk.
References
- ↑ What is IPF?, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation