The Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

National Jewish Health describes the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and how they can sneak up on patients.

Transcript

The hallmark symptom or main symptom of IPF is shortness of breath.

It comes on very quietly or gradually, typically.

It sneaks up on patients, so that they notice shortness of breath maybe when they’re walking up a slight incline that they once walked up without any difficulty.

Other symptoms include a dry, hacking cough and fatigue is a really under recognized symptom by the medical community.

It’s very common in patients with IPF.

We once thought idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was extremely rare, but we’re finding out that it’s actually more common than once thought.

Primarily due to improved technology, namely high resolution CT scans, we’re identifying abnormalities in the lung and thus the diagnosis of IPF more frequently.