Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Questions for Your Doctor
Your Guide to
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Getting a Diagnosis
- Questions for Your Doctor
- Treatment
- Taking Care of Yourself
- What to Expect
- Getting Support
- How do you know I have IPF?
- Do I need any more tests?
- Do I need to see any other doctors?
- What treatments might work best for me?
- How will they make me feel?
- Will anything help me breathe better right away?
- Are there any clinical trials that would be good for me?
- How often should I see you?
- Will I need a lung transplant?
- Will my children get IPF?
Treatment
Treatments for IPF won't cure the disease, but they can make it easier for you to breathe. Some may keep your lungs from getting worse quickly. Your doctor may recommend a few options:
- Medicine. Two drugs, pirfenidone (Esbriet) and nintedanib (Ofev), are approved to treat IPF. Scientists are still finding out exactly how they work, but they do know these treatments slow down scarring and damage in your lungs.
- Oxygen therapy. You breathe oxygen through a mask or prongs that go in your nose. It boosts the oxygen in your blood so you have less shortness of breath and can be more active. Whether you need to wear oxygen depends on how serious your condition is. Some people with IPF need it only when they sleep or exercise. Others need it 24 hours a day.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation. You work with a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists on ways to manage your symptoms. You might focus on exercise, healthy eating, relaxation, stress relief, and ways to save your energy. You may visit the hospital for a rehab program or do one at home.
Some people with IPF can get a lung transplant. Doctors usually recommend it for someone whose illness is very severe or gets worse very fast. Getting a new lung or lungs can help you live longer, but it is major surgery.
Your doctor will put you on a waiting list for a lung from a donor. After your transplant, you could be in the hospital for 3 weeks or longer. You'll need to take drugs for the rest of your life that keep your body from rejecting your new organ. You’ll also have lots of tests to see how well your lungs are working and regular physical therapy.