How does pulmonary fibrosis affect the lungs

The air sacs, as well as the lung tissue around the air sacs and the lung capillaries, are destroyed when the scar tissue forms. The disease may run a gradual course or a rapid course. People who have it may notice variation in symptoms, from very mild to moderate to very severe.

The condition may stay the same for a long time or it may change quickly. The course of the disease is unpredictable. If it progresses, the lung tissue thickens and becomes stiff, making breathing more difficult. Each person may experience interstitial lung disease differently, but the most common symptoms include:. The symptoms of interstitial lung diseases may look like other lung conditions or medical problems. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, the healthcare provider may also request pulmonary function tests. They may include:. A spirometer is a device used to check lung function. Spirometry is one of the simplest, most common tests. It may be used to:. This device is used to measure the how fast you can blow air out of the lungs. Disease-related changes can cause the large airways in the lungs to slowly narrow.

This will slow the speed of air leaving the lungs. This measurement is very important in evaluating how well or how poorly the disease is being controlled. Pulmonary fibrosis scars and thickens the tissue around and between the air sacs alveoli in your lungs.

This makes it more difficult for oxygen to pass into your bloodstream. The damage can be caused by many different factors — including long-term exposure to certain toxins, certain medical conditions, radiation therapy and some medications. Some people who receive radiation therapy for lung or breast cancer show signs of lung damage months or sometimes years after the initial treatment.

The severity of the damage may depend on:. Many substances and conditions can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Even so, in most cases, the cause is never found. Pulmonary fibrosis with no known cause is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Researchers have several theories about what might trigger idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including viruses and exposure to tobacco smoke. Also, some forms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis run in families, and heredity may play a role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Many people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may also have gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD — a condition that occurs when acid from your stomach flows back into your esophagus. Ongoing research is evaluating if GERD may be a risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or if GERD may lead to a more rapid progression of the condition.

However, more research is needed to determine the association between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and GERD. High blood pressure in your lungs pulmonary hypertension. Unlike systemic high blood pressure, this condition affects only the arteries in your lungs. It begins when the smallest arteries and capillaries are compressed by scar tissue, causing increased resistance to blood flow in your lungs. This in turn raises pressure within the pulmonary arteries and the lower right heart chamber right ventricle.

Some forms of pulmonary hypertension are serious illnesses that become progressively worse and are sometimes fatal. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Pulmonary fibrosis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary fibrosis scars and thickens the tissue around and between the air sacs alveoli in your lungs, as shown on the right.

Normal lungs have no scarring, so oxygen can pass easily from the environment into the air sacs of the lungs. When air reaches the air sacs, it is absorbed into the bloodstream so that your blood can receive oxygen. In pulmonary fibrosis, the lungs are stiff because of scarring, called fibrosis.

This fibrosis makes it harder for oxygen to pass through the air sacs in the lung, which in turn reduces the amount of oxygen that can passes into the bloodstream. Fibrosis stiffens the lungs, reducing their size and capacity.

This decrease in lung ability can be seen on breathing tests, also known as lung function tests. These tests may be used to diagnose or monitor pulmonary fibrosis over time. As the fibrosis progresses, it may become harder to breathe, and you may need oxygen to help you breathe. The scarring that happens with pulmonary fibrosis cannot be reversed or repaired.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for pulmonary fibrosis. Unlike other common long-term diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, pulmonary fibrosis is rare. Pulmonary fibrosis affects up to an estimated , people in the United States. The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are similar to those of other lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. A correct diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is important so that a doctor may be able to help treat symptoms like shortness of breath.

In other cases, the causes of pulmonary fibrosis may include:. Living Well Patient Guide. Pulmonary Fibrosis Infographic. Pulmonary Fibrosis Myths Busted. The Living Well with Pulmonary Fibrosis patient guide will introduce you to pulmonary fibrosis — its causes, symptoms and risk factors; how it is diagnosed; and how it is treated; and how to manage the condition to minimize its impact.

How severe symptoms are varies from person to person. Some people will get very sick quickly when the disease is severe. Other people will have mild symptoms for years and the disease will remain mild. How pulmonary fibrosis develops also varies from person to person, and the overall course of the disease can be unpredictable.

The disease can change quickly, even for people who have been stable for years. Your health care provider will give you a physical examination that includes listening to your lungs for abnormal breath sounds.

Your provider may also perform tests to determine whether you have pulmonary fibrosis and how it has affected your body. These tests may include blood tests, imaging tests, and lung function tests.

Your provider may also take a biopsy of your lung tissue—that is, a small amount of tissue that is removed to look at under a microscope. Talk to your health care provider if you have a family history of pulmonary fibrosis or have some of the risk factors and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis. One recent study estimated that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF, which is just one of more than types of PF affects 1 out of adults over the age of 70 in the United States. There are over , Americans living with PF today.

Approximately 50, new cases are diagnosed each year and as many as 40, Americans die from IPF each year. Educational Materials Find reliable information and trusted resources that can help you learn about pulmonary fibrosis and live better with PF.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Quick Facts This one-page document provides quick facts about pulmonary fibrosis, including symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more.