Lung problems are among the most modern problems that we face due to the large number of environmental pollutants that we are exposed to. In this article, we will learn about lung disease. lung fibrosis; And the causes and symptoms of infection, and you will also discover its complications, the possibility of treatment or coexistence with it, and its relationship to Covid-19 disease.

What is lung fibrosis?

This disease is also called pulmonary cirrhosis or pulmonary fibrosis pulmonary fibrosis It is an injury to the tissues of the lungs with scarring over time. These scars make the lung thicker and stiffer, which causes difficulty in the lungs performing their basic breathing functions and thus the blood does not get enough oxygen.

Causes of pulmonary edema

The reasons can be divided into four main types, which include:

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

It is the most common type, with about 50,000 cases diagnosed annually in the world, and it is more common in men between 50 and 70 years old.

Diseases that cause pulmonary fibrosis

There are several diseases that can cause fibrosis as complications or side effects of this disease, such as:

Familial or hereditary lung fibrosis

It is the incidence of pulmonary fibrosis for more than two individuals in the same family. There is a belief that some genetic genes can be transmitted between family members to cause interstitial lung disease. If there is one or more members of the family with lung disease, it is preferable to examine the rest of the individuals as well.

environmental factors

Exposure to certain harmful substances can also cause these scarring of lung tissue, such as:

• People who are exposed in their profession to asbestos materials, silica, or some types of dust such as wood dust.
• Breathe in bird and animal droppings.
• Exposure to radiation therapy and some types of medications such as chemotherapy, heart medications, and some antibiotics.
• Cigarette smoking also increases the risk of developing the disease.

Is lung disease contagious?

Although there is a cough and it continues for a long time with the infected person, this disease is not contagious at all and cannot be transmitted to you from an infected person, so there is no need to worry about being with an infected person, unless he has another viral infection.

Symptoms of lung fibrosis

There is a fact that you should know that this disease tends to develop slowly, that is, mild symptoms appear first and then the condition slowly becomes worse over time, and symptoms include the following:

• Difficulty breathing even with the slightest effort.
• Persistent dry cough.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Anorexia.
• Weight loss.
• Rounded and swollen fingertips.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you become clearly experiencing difficulty breathing, and also if the cough persists for more than 3 weeks, you should not neglect and consult a doctor immediately and not ignore the symptoms because it is a serious condition that must be dealt with quickly.

Complications of pulmonary edema

Several complications of pulmonary fibrosis can develop over time, such as:

Lung fibrosis and corona

With the beginning of the spread of Covid-19 disease, it was noticed that people with chronic diseases are more likely to catch corona infection, in addition to the appearance of symptoms in a more dangerous and severe way, especially patients with pulmonary fibrosis, so patients with pulmonary fibrosis must work to protect themselves in particular and take all precautions, because Corona virus may be more deadly with infection with this disease.

Diagnosis of lung fibrosis

When you go to the doctor, he will perform a physical examination, where he will listen to the lung, as it often makes a rattling sound with this disease with breathing, in addition to asking you about your family history of lung disease, and the doctor can also request some tests such as:

Treatment of lung fibrosis

Unfortunately, until now, there is no effective and definitive treatment to get rid of fibrosis in the lung and treat it, but there are some treatment methods that aim to reduce symptoms and coexist with the disease, including:

• Medicines aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving symptoms, and medicines that help treat the causes, such as anti-inflammatory and cough medicines.
• Supplemental oxygen therapy, which aims to supply oxygen to the blood, which reduces difficulty breathing and increases activity.
• Participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs that are supervised by specialists who monitor your condition and give you the necessary instructions to live with your illness and lifestyle.
• Lung transplantation may also be an available treatment option.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle free from smoking and exposure to pollutants. It should also include a healthy diet, physical activities, and avoidance of nervous and psychological stress.

However, there are millions of people with pulmonary fibrosis who can live with it despite the lack of a cure, only by following the doctor’s advice, preserving their general health, and making sure to change their lifestyle to be more healthy and active.