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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
What to Expect
Your Guide to
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Getting a Diagnosis
- Questions for Your Doctor
- Treatment
- Taking Care of Yourself
- What to Expect
- Getting Support
The scar tissue in your lungs makes it hard for your body to get oxygen, which puts a strain on your other organs. IPF can raise your risk of getting other conditions, including:
- High blood pressure in the lungs, called pulmonary hypertension
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Blood clots in your lungs
- Lung cancer
- Lung infections
Ask your doctor what you can do to control your risk for these problems. There may be treatments that can help with these conditions, too. For example, if you have pulmonary hypertension, the drugs sildenafil (Revatio), tadalafil (Adcirca), or vardenafil (Levitra) can improve blood flow to your lungs and make it easier to breathe.
Everyone with IPF is different. For some people, the disease gets worse quickly. For others, it can be a slow process where their lungs stay the same for a long time. Talk to your doctor about your condition and what you can do to manage it.
Getting Support
To learn more about IPF or find a support group in your area, visit the web site of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
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