Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterised by the thickening and scarring of lung tissue, which makes it difficult to breathe. The term ‘idiopathic’ means the cause is unknown and over time, the scarring worsens, reducing the lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.
Symptoms
Symptoms include persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss. IPF is typically diagnosed through imaging tests, lung function tests, and sometimes biopsy. While the exact cause remains unclear, factors like age, smoking, environmental pollutants, and genetic predisposition may contribute. IPF progression varies from person to person, and scarring can occur gradually or fast. For some patients, the condition persists for many years. In some people, the illness swiftly worsens.
