Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Cost in India

The most common type of lung disease is pulmonary fibrosis, which is characterized by the scarring and damage of lung tissues. Because of the rigidity of the tissues caused by lung scarring, the lung’s normal functioning is severely impaired. The patient’s ability to breathe normally has been compromised. The condition could be caused by a variety of reasons, although the origin is usually unclear. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the name given to such cases. The lungs are irreversibly damaged by pulmonary fibrosis, however, pulmonary fibrosis treatment in India can assist to alleviate the symptoms. A lung transplant may be the best option, but it comes with risks.

The pulmonary fibrosis treatment cost in India depends upon various factors like age and the health of the patient. 

What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a term that refers to a group of significant lung disorders that affect the respiratory system. Pulmonary fibrosis scars and thickens lung tissue. It affects the lung’s connective tissue as well as the alveoli (air sacs inside the lungs).

The damage to the lungs worsens over time. Lung tissues that are rigid and stiff don’t expand as well as they should, making breathing difficult. When you have pulmonary fibrosis, you may experience shortness of breath while performing regular tasks that never seemed tiring before.

Scarring of the lungs occurs in people with pulmonary fibrosis, and it progresses until the lungs can no longer give enough oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. Some individuals with pulmonary fibrosis develop more serious lung disorders, such as lung cancer, pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs), pneumonia, or excessive blood pressure in the lung’s blood vessels (pulmonary hypertension). The majority of those who are affected live for 3 to 5 years after being diagnosed. The disease’s progress, however, is exceedingly diverse; some people become seriously ill in a couple of months, while others may live with it for a decade or longer.

What are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis?

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis:

• Breathing problems (dyspnea)
• Coughing that is dry
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain in muscles and joints 
• The tips of the fingers or toes get wider and rounder (clubbing)

The progression of pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the severity of symptoms, varies greatly from person to person. Some people fall ill with a severe ailment very quickly. Others have mild symptoms that gradually increase over months or years.

Some people experience the following symptoms as the condition progresses:

• Clubbing: A different-looking fingertips or toes, such as broader or more spherical.
• Cyanosis: It is a condition in which the skin becomes bluish (in fair-skinned people) or grey or white (in dark-skinned people) due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Some people may have a sudden worsening of their symptoms (acute exacerbation), such as severe shortness of breath, that lasts for days or weeks. A mechanical ventilator may be used to help those with acute exacerbations. Antibiotics, corticosteroids, and other drugs may be prescribed by doctors to treat an acute exacerbation.

What are the Causes of Pulmonary Fibrosis?

When people are exposed to pollution, certain drugs, or an infection, they can develop pulmonary fibrosis. Doctors, on the other hand, are mystified as to what causes pulmonary fibrosis.

The tissue surrounding and between the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs scars and thickens as a result of pulmonary fibrosis. As a result of this, it becomes more difficult for oxygen to enter your bloodstream. Long-term exposure to certain toxins, specific medical disorders, radiation therapy, and some drugs, among other things, can cause damage.

Some risk factors may increase your chances of developing Pulmonary Fibrosis:

• Age:  Almost everyone with pulmonary fibrosis is over the age of 50.
• At work or home: breathing in wood or metal dust
• Gender:  About 75% of people diagnosed with IPF are men.
• Genetics: Up to 20% of people who have IPF have a family member with similar lung disease.
• Disorder: Acid reflux disease is a common ailment.
• Addiction: Cigarette smoking

How is the diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis done?

Your medical history will be examined by your healthcare provider. You will also get a physical exam to assess your symptoms thoroughly. They may listen to your breathing with a stethoscope, looking for unusual sounds (like crackling).

Pulmonary fibrosis might appear similar to other, more common lung diseases, making identification complicated. To diagnose pulmonary fibrosis, your doctor may request one or more of the following tests:

• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be performed by your doctor to rule out other diseases or causes of your symptoms. After a diagnosis, lab tests can help physicians track disease progression (how it affects your body over time).
• Imaging Tests: A chest X-ray or CT scan may be used to rule out other lung diseases. These images can clearly show lung scarring and may help to confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis.
• Breathing Tests: Pulmonary function tests are another name for these exams. Various devices are used to assess lung function and capacity (how well your lungs work).
• Oxygen Desaturation Study: This test measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. You take a six-minute walk while putting a probe on your finger or forehead.
• Biopsy: Through a small incision in the ribs, a surgeon takes a small sample of lung tissue. A lung biopsy is often used to confirm a pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis.