Nagging Cough? Your Lungs May Need Urgent Help

Pulmonary-Fibriosis
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Are you suffering from a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and pain in the chest?

Much as this sounds like a TVC may we suggest that you have yourself checked at the earliest if you do experience any of these symptoms…

Pulmonary Specialists suggest that a chronic cough could be a typical symptom of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and fatal disease that is characterized by a progressive decline in pulmonary function.

Understanding Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis:

IPF is a type of lung disease that results in damage and scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. Over time, this thickened, and stiff scarring becomes worse making it tougher to breathe.

Patients experience acute shortness of breath. Appropriate therapy and medication can help ease symptoms and improve overall quality of life for the patient.

Typical Causes and Triggers:

Some people get pulmonary fibrosis when they’re exposed to factors like pollution, specific medicines, or an infection.

You are more likely to be affected by IPF if you smoke, breathe in wood or metal dust at home or work or have acid reflux disease.

Most often, IPF runs within the family and doctors suggest that gene mutation could cause the disease in some people. The specific gene that can cause this has still not been identified and isolated.

Classic Symptoms:

Having IPF for a long time without noticing any symptoms. After many years, the scarring in your lungs gets worse, and you might have a dry cough that doesn’t go away. Shortness of breath especially when you walk, or do other activities

One might also notice fatigue, unexplained weight loss, aching in joints and muscles and widening and rounding of the tips of fingers and the clubbing of toes.

Expert View:

Dr, Vaibhav Pandharkar, MBBS, DTCD, DNB (Respiratory Medicine), Consultant – Respiratory Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital adds, ” Cases of pulmonary fibrosis have been increasing day by day. Pollution and smoking are beginning to affect far more people in the city, in comparison to what it was, a few years ago.

Senior citizens, farmers, poulters, manufacturing unit workers, cement industry workers, and carpenters and others inhaling dust/ smoke/fumes are the worst affected.

There is almost a 20-30% increase in PF patients if were to compare to the situation 5-6 years back.” he adds.

Dr Vaibhav further adds, “there are currently no established ways to prevent pulmonary fibrosis. The major concern is that in most cases the disease cannot be identified.”

The best way to prevent pulmonary fibrosis is, therefore, to avoid potential risks and to undergo regular medical examinations. Pay attention to symptoms mentioned above and the most common and avoidable risk factors for IPF is smoking.

Smoking causes not only pulmonary fibrosis but also several other respiratory diseases. People need to wear proper masks if they are at work in toxic/ dust/smoke prone areas.”

“I have never heard of it before, Is it a scientific name of some common disease? asks Mrudul Pansare, Techie.

There are so many diseases I know, but this is something I have never come across. Nobody has ever mentioned this one Probably, hardly anyone suffers from it, she adds.

“I think the most important thing to help slow down the progression of any lung disease is to quit smoking,” says Anil Rathod, Medical student. People can use things like nicotine patches or vaping with premium e-juice to help them quit smoking. Those looking to make the switch over can find products like vape pens, e-liquids, box mods, and others for purchase at any serious vape store in their area or online.

People should adopt a certain lifestyle that helps them feel better. An ideal method could to increase physical activity and in turn, improve overall metabolism and lung capacity.

Anyone suffering from a persistent cough for more than 8 weeks should ideally get it checked to ensure timely treatment”. he adds.

“Yes, I have a frequent cough but I have had this for long. It maybe because of the work and dust we inhale,” says Suresh Kumar Kashap, Construction Worker.

I have never got it checked, and I don’t think its something to be worried about. Perhaps I should switch to a Vape Cloud UK product instead of smoking, though.

Moreover, we don’t have that much money to have it treated. And everybody knows how the government hospital works,” adds Kashyap.

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#All views expressed in this column are those of the individual respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them.

Ankita Malekar