Pulmonary Fibrosis
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Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice
Pulmonologist located in Monaca, PA and servicing Beaver, PA
As many as 50,000 new cases of pulmonary fibrosis are diagnosed each year in the United States. To address your symptoms and manage your pulmonary fibrosis, Benjamin A. Laracuente, MD, and the pulmonology specialists at Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice offer comprehensive diagnostic technologies and customized care plans at their office in Monaca, Pennsylvania. Whether you need medications or oxygen therapy, the team works with you every step of the way to protect your lung health. Learn more about options for treating pulmonary fibrosis: Call Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice or request an appointment online now.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Q & A
What is pulmonary fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that develops when there’s damage or scarring in your lung tissue. This causes the tissue to become thick and less flexible, interfering with your lung function.
You can develop lung damage from a variety of issues, such as smoking or pneumonia. Other common reasons for tissue damage related to pulmonary fibrosis include frequent exposure to toxins and irritants like:
- Asbestos
- Coal dust
- Hard metal dust
- Animal droppings
This exposure is common in those who work in certain environments or occupations, such as mining, construction, or pest control.
Your lung tissue can also be damaged by chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer or from using certain medications, like antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?
Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis can range from mild to severe and vary from one person to the next. Some of the most common symptoms of the disease include:
- Fatigue
- Dry cough
- Muscle aches
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
Another notable side effect of pulmonary fibrosis is the clubbing (rounding) of the fingertips and toes.
If left untreated, pulmonary fibrosis can cause pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in your lungs. You can also experience respiratory failure or heart failure and have an increased risk for developing lung cancer.
How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?
To identify the cause of your symptoms, your Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice provider may recommend pulmonary function tests. They also review your job and family medical history to determine your risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis.
While there’s no treatment for repairing scarred lung tissue, your provider may recommend medications to treat your symptoms and reduce the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.
If you struggle to breathe and are limited in what you can do, you may need oxygen therapy. This involves the use of a portable oxygen dispenser which delivers oxygen to your body through a face mask or nasal tube.
Your provider can also teach you exercises to improve your lung health. They work with you on necessary modifications to your diet and lifestyle to help you manage your pulmonary fibrosis and retain your independence.
Learn more about options for treating pulmonary fibrosis today by calling Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice or by requesting an appointment online now.
