Lung Fibrosis, also known as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, results in the scarring of the lung tissue. This disease is caused by the reaction of the body to foreign elements. The Alveoli (air sacs) become inflamed and develop scars on the lung tissue in an attempt to repair itself.

Alveoli help the lungs breathe and release carbon dioxide. When the air sacs are scarred, the lung tissue is gradually replaced by fibrous tissue, which prevents the alveoli sacs from inhaling oxygen. The lung tissues harden causing shortness of breath, chronic dry cough, and discomfort in the chest. An inflammation of the lung tissue is a first sign of this disease.

This scarring of the lung tissue results in the permanent loss of transporting oxygen to the body. The more scarring of the tissue occurs, the less likely the patient will be able to breathe properly. The formation of scar tissue diminishes the ability of the alveolar sacs to function properly.

Inhaling asbestos, ground stone, or metal dust can cause lung fibrosis. Sarcoidosis and certain medications also cause lung fibrosis. However, in a majority of the cases the direct cause of this disease is unknown.

In order to properly diagnose this disease, a careful examination of the patient's environmental and occupational history, hobbies, legal and illegal drug use, arthritis, and risk factors that may affect the immune system must be performed. Blood tests, chest x-rays, bronchoalveolar lavage test, and a lung biopsy are performed depending on stage of the disease. A lung biopsy is the most effective test for lung fibrosis, where a sample of your lung tissue is removed for further diagnosis.

Five million people worldwide are affected by lung fibrosis. Typically, this disease affects people in their forties or fifties but range from age seven into the eighties. However, most patients do not know that they have Lung Fibrosis until several years later.

Currently there is no effective treatment to battle this disease, probably because the origin of lung fibrosis is not known, and may vary from patient to patient. For now, supplemental oxygen, drug treatments, and lung transplants seem to be the only remedy to prolong life. The average survival rate for this disease is five to seven years after diagnosis.