What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis month. Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) means scarring of the lungs. Patients with PF have lungs that have been scarred for various reasons including lung disease. This scarring makes it difficult for oxygen to flow so patients with PF often feel short of breath. It also has other symptoms such as severe dry cough, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue. 

PF is a type of Interstitial Lung Disease and there are over 200 types of PF. 

Over 250,000 Americans are living with PF and about 40,000 die of PF every year. 

This disease is close to our hearts. Sid Vahal was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease and Idiopathic (cause unknown) Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) before his lungs collapsed and he needed a double lung transplant. Although Sid was only 26 when he was diagnosed, most patients diagnosed with PF are over 70. 

PF is very difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to many other diseases. There is no cure for PF, however, it can be managed with medication and other treatments. Like Sid, patients with severe PF often need a lung transplant.

To help Pulmonary Fibrosis patients who needed a lung transplant live a longer, healthier life, donate now:

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