Pulmonary fibrosis
A condition in which the lung tissue becomes progressively scarred and stiff, making it harder to expand and to move oxygen into the blood. It causes gradually worsening breathlessness and a persistent dry cough, and needs specialist assessment to find the cause and slow it.
What it is
Pulmonary fibrosis is a form of interstitial lung disease in which the delicate tissue between the air sacs becomes thickened, scarred and stiff. This scarring makes the lungs less able to expand and less efficient at transferring oxygen into the bloodstream, so breathing becomes harder over time. There are many causes: exposure to certain dusts or substances (such as asbestos, silica, mould or birds), some medications, radiation, and autoimmune and connective-tissue diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma). When no cause can be found, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which tends to be progressive. The main symptoms are breathlessness that worsens gradually — first on exertion, then with less effort — and a persistent dry cough; tiredness, weight loss and clubbing of the fingertips can occur. A characteristic 'velcro-like' crackle may be heard at the lung bases. Diagnosis relies on breathing tests (showing a restrictive pattern with reduced gas transfer), a high-resolution CT scan of the chest, and blood tests to look for autoimmune causes, sometimes with a biopsy. Unlike some lung conditions, the scarring itself cannot be reversed, so care focuses on finding and removing any cause, slowing progression (specific antifibrotic drugs exist for IPF), oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation and support.
Key lab markers
- Breathing tests and CT scan — central to diagnosis; blood tests mainly search for a cause.
- Autoimmune blood tests (ANA and others) — look for a connective-tissue or autoimmune cause.
- CRP and ESR — inflammatory markers, which may be raised depending on the cause.
- Oxygen level and blood gases — assess how well the lungs are transferring oxygen.
- Full blood count and kidney/liver function — general assessment and before treatment.
Symptoms
- Breathlessness that worsens gradually, first on exertion
- A persistent dry cough
- Tiredness and reduced exercise tolerance
- Weight loss
- Clubbing (widening) of the fingertips
- A 'velcro-like' crackle heard when listening to the lungs
Related lab panels
When to discuss with a doctor
Gradually worsening breathlessness and a persistent dry cough — especially over weeks to months, and particularly in someone with a relevant exposure or an autoimmune condition — should be assessed by a doctor, as pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases need specialist evaluation. Finding the cause matters: some cases are driven by an exposure that can be removed or an autoimmune disease that can be treated, and IPF has specific drugs that can slow progression, so earlier diagnosis helps. Seek prompt care for a sharp worsening of breathlessness or a new chest infection. Mediora.AI can highlight autoimmune or inflammatory findings that point toward a cause, but pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed with breathing tests and a CT scan and managed by a specialist.