Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease of the lung caused by the development of scar tissue affecting the movement of oxygen to the blood. Fibrosis can be due to the deposition of airborne particles in the lung, or occur in certain systemic diseases (diseases affecting many organs). The exact cause is sometimes unknown; it is then called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF.
Symptoms can include:
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Cough
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Difficulty breathing with mild effort
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Insufficient oxygen in the blood may cause the skin to turn blue
Clemenceau Medical Center offers a complete set of diagnostic tools and tests for the assessment of pulmonary fibrosis, including: Chest CT Scan and x-ray, complete lung function testing, bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, arterial blood gas testing, and pulse oximetry testing.
Some patients do not respond well to available treatments. Oxygen may be helpful in some patients.