Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis occurs when the tissue in between the lungs thickens and stiffens until it forms an almost crisscross pattern of hard tissue around and between the lungs, making it difficult for the lungs to move oxygen into the bloodstream.
The main signs and symptoms of IPF include shortness of breath, not just during exercise, but even at rest, and a dry, hacking cough that over time, turns into repeated bouts of coughing that is uncontrollable. Other symptoms that may be developed over time can be rapid, shallow breathing, gradual and unintended weight loss, fatigue or just a general feeling of being unwell, aching muscles and joints, and clubbing, which is the widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers and/or toes.
Idiopathic is put in front of the name of a disease if the cause of said disease is unknown. However, there are many different possible causes for pulmonary fibrosis.
Currently, however, it is believed that it is an epithelial-fibroblastic disease in which unknown internal or environmental stimuli disrupt the homeostasis of alveolar epithelial cells, causing these cells to spread as well as repair abnormally. It is also found in excess alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis and/or fibroblast resistance to apoptosis.
Outside of acquired pulmonary fibrosis, it can also be genetic, which is said to be associated with mutant telomerase. Telomerase is a specialized polymerase that adds telomere repeats to the ends of chromosomes which helps prevent shortening that can occur during DNA replication. It has been said that pulmonary fibrosis in patients with short telomeres is provoked by a loss of alveolar ephithelial cells.
Another possible cause is if a patient has low levels of caveolin-1, which is considered a protective regulator of pulmonary fibrosis.
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References:
- Godfrey, A. (2015, August 12). Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301226-overview#a6
- What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis? (2011, September 20). Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ipf
I am 74 years old. Two years ago I noticed that I was finding it harder to walk in the hills, after 3 months my condition suddenly worsened, following an xray and a MRI scan I was diagnosed with Idiopatic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). I start taking a corticosteroid and Pirfenidone, even with these medications i still remain very breathless when climbing the 15 steps to our front door, i wake up at night coughing persistently and hacking for hours. In July 2016, my neighbour Nicholas Quale referred me to NewLife Herbal Clinic, he had initially purchased Lymphoma herbs from them. I purchased their Pulmonary fibrosis herbal remedy and immediately commenced usage, i use the remedy for about 9 weeks and my condition greatly improved for good, all symptoms including breathlessness, tiredness, shortness of breath, coughing etc are gone, i did another scan, the result was unbelievable, my lungs are repaired, visit www.newlifeherbalclinic.weebly.com or email newlifeherbalclinic@gmail.com
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