Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung condition. People with IPF develop scar tissue in their lungs.
This makes your lungs stiff. You may cough and have shortness of breath.
It's not clear what causes IPF. But it usually affects older adults. It is rare in people under age 50.
There is no treatment that can stop or reverse the scarring of your lungs. But there are treatments that can help to slow down how quickly scarring happens.
Symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The symptoms of IPF usually develop gradually and get worse over time.
Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- a dry cough that you have for more than 8 weeks
- weight loss
- tiredness (fatigue)
These symptoms can happen in other conditions. Do not ignore your symptoms.
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if:
- you have symptoms of IPF
If your GP thinks you have IPF, they can refer you to a specialist for tests.
Diagnosing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Causes of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
If you have IPF, the tiny air sacs in your lungs (alveoli) become damaged and more and more scarred. This causes your lungs to become stiff and makes it hard for oxygen to get into the blood.
The reason this happens is not clear. Idiopathic means the cause is unknown.
Some people who develop IPF have no risk factors.
IPF has been linked to:
- exposure to metal or wood dust
- viral infections
- a family history of IPF - around 1 in 10 people with IPF have another family member with the condition
- acid reflux
- smoking