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Understanding pulmonary fibrosis

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is the medical term for a buildup of scar tissue in the lungs. In someone with pulmonary fibrosis, the lungs become scarred, thickened, and stiff.2,3 The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis vary from person to person, but in some patients, worsening of the disease can result in shortness of breath and eventually lead to the body's organs not getting enough oxygen to work properly.2-4

Tiny air sacs (known as alveoli) and blood vessels in the lungs are a part of the cardiovascular system which provides oxygen to all parts of the body. As lung fibrosis develops, it becomes harder for oxygen to pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream.2,3

Watch this video to see how pulmonary fibrosis can make breathing more difficult

People with pulmonary fibrosis often experience1:

  • Shortness of breath, especially when active
  • A dry cough that won't go away
  • Wide, round fingers (finger clubbing)

It's important to be aware of all the common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis occurs in many types of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). 'Interstitial' means the disease affects the connective tissue between the air sacs and the blood vessels in your lungs. There are more than 200 different types of ILDs.3 Some ILDs can be caused by certain medications or drugs, occupational or environmental exposure, or autoimmune conditions.5 Many times, the cause is never discovered. This is known as ‘idiopathic.’1

Find out more about the different conditions associated with pulmonary fibrosis.

Take a closer look at the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis.

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Abbreviations: ILD, interstitial lung disease; IPF, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; PF, pulmonary fibrosis; RA-ILD, rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

  1. Meltzer EB, Noble PW. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008;3:8.

  2. Martinez FJ, Collard HR, Pardo A, et al. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17074.

  3. Asthma + Lung UK. What is pulmonary fibrosis? Updated June 1, 2022. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/what-pulmonary-fibrosis

  4. Wynn TA. Integrating mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis. J Exp Med. 2011;208(7):1339-1350.

  5. Asthma + Lung UK. What are the causes of pulmonary fibrosis? Updated June 1, 2022. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/what-are-causes-pulmonary-fibrosis