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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- A dry cough
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Aching muscles and joints
The most common pulmonary fibrosis symptoms are shortness of breath, especially during or after physical activity, and a dry cough. These often don't appear until the disease is advanced, and irreversible lung damage has already occurred. Even then, you may downplay your symptoms, attributing them to aging, being out of shape or the lingering effects of a cold.
Breathing problems usually become progressively worse, and eventually you're likely to get out of breath during routine activities — getting dressed, talking on the phone, even eating. At this point, symptoms are impossible to ignore.
The course of pulmonary fibrosis — and the severity of symptoms — can vary considerably from person to person. Some people become ill very quickly with severe disease. Others have more-moderate symptoms that grow worse over a period of months or years.
- Garantziotis S, et al. Serum inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and matrix hyaluronan promote angiogenesis in fibrotic lung injury. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2008;178:939.
- Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=4294229&ct=3052333. Accessed Jan. 13, 2008.
- King TE. Clinical advances in the diagnosis and therapy of the interstitial lung diseases. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2005;172:26.
- What are the signs and symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ipf/ipf_signsandsymptoms.html. Accessed Jan. 13, 2009.
- How is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ipf/ipf_treatments.html, Accessed Jan, 13, 2009.
- McKay S, et al. Patient information handbook. Chicago, Ill.: American Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation; 2004. http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/patient.pdf. Accessed Jan 13, 2009.
- What causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ipf/ipf_causes.html. Accessed Jan. 14, 2009.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Diagnosis and treatment: International consensus statement. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2000;161:646.
