Busting Common Myths about Pulmonary Fibrosis

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Pulmonary Fibrosis is a progressive terminal disease that leads to scarring and thickening of the lungs. It affects how oxygen gets into the blood. Fibrosis thickens the normally thin wall of the air sac which makes it difficult to take oxygen into the bloodstream.

PF can be caused by exposure to dust and smoke. Additionally, pulmonary fibrosis can be hereditary. Early symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include chronic dry cough, which later progresses to shortness of breath. Over 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with PF, with the disease more common in men than women.

There is no shortage of information on the internet, so false and misleading information can make the rounds, too. In the same vein, there are many myths about Pulmonary Fibrosis.

We care about your well-being, and that’s why we’ve put together 5 common myths about Pulmonary Fibrosis you should know.

Pulmonary Fibrosis is easy to diagnose

This is a big fat lie, concerning the fact that there are different and new respiratory diseases. Pulmonary Fibrosis can be difficult to diagnose, even by a lung doctor, because many of its symptoms are similar to some other illnesses.

You have to be particular about the laboratory testing so as not to mistake it for a subtle illness or COVID-19. Some of the symptoms of PF(Pulmonary Fibrosis) include general body weakness, discomfort in the chest, weight loss, and a loss of appetite.

These symptoms might not be easy to detect as a red flag, so you have to be observant of your body and careful enough to not ignore any changes, regardless of how slight.

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No effective treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis

PF has no cure yet, but supportive care treatment will help to manage it.

According to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), for some types of Pulmonary Fibrosis, there are medications called antifibrotics that can slow down disease progression by about 50%.

Lung transplant is also a treatment option for advanced PF.

Natural Plant Extracts can help you beat Pulmonary Fibrosis

As much as this would be great news to the medical industry, there are no known roots or herbs that can cure Pulmonary Fibrosis.

It is a terminal disease. This means that it has no known cure.

Antibiotics help with the cough and shortage of breath symptoms

Although doctors prescribe antibiotics for cough symptoms, it is different with a Pulmonary Fibrosis patient. It does not do anything to improve health.

Not only are antibiotics not helpful, but they will also predictably lead to more difficult bacterial infections down the road.

As it is, there is a growing problem across the world with increasingly resistant bacteria.

Patients die within the first four years of diagnosis

No one can predict how long a PF patient would live. Some are diagnosed early and begin to undergo treatment early, while some are diagnosed later when it is already almost too late

Conclusion
Knowing the facts from the myths will help raise more awareness about the terminal disease, which would, in turn, make people understand better and promote friendly interactions between people living with PF and the world.

If you think you exhibit any symptom of Pulmonary Fibrosis, or you know anyone, find a lung doctor immediately and get examined. We are always here to help you.

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