Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis –Scarring For A Lifetime

Sometimes, something gets missed from our eyes; often, our ignorance delays the diagnosis of something fatal.

Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, rare, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia. It is a harsh condition that scars the lung tissues for a lifetime and hampers the normal functioning of the lungs. It may hinder one’s breathing ability, which may ultimately lead to respiratory failure.

The scarring begins at the edges of the lungs and advances toward the centre. Though it may start mildly but eventually with time, it may worsen, and the lung tissue might get replaced with heavily scarred tissues that will make it harder for a person to breathe properly and deliver the required amount of oxygen.

Every year around 80,000 adults suffer from IPF in the United States, and more than 30,000 diagnosed IPF cases were observed.

It often gets misdiagnosed as IPF symptoms are very similar to other lung diseases. Shortness of breath, particularly during exercise, dry, hacking cough, fast, shallow breathing, tiredness, aching joints, and muscles, and others are some of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis symptoms. The life expectancy is about 2–5 years, with a mortality rate of about 50–56% after 5 years.

Its severity differs from person to person, and every individual diagnosed may have a different and unique experience. Some may become ill very quickly with severe disease. Others may have moderate symptoms that worsen more slowly, over months or years. It leads to complications like collapsed lung, lung infections, blood clots in the lungs, and lung cancer.

A disease without any cure and any root cause have surprised many researchers and doctors as it does not showcase any severe symptoms till it has significantly damaged the organ. Therefore, current IPF treatment methods are dependant on antifibrotic drugs (Pirfenidone and Nintedanib). Innumerable tests have led to the production of new IPF therapies like Pemrevlumab, KD025, PRM151, GLPG 1690 and Thrombomodulin Alfa that are likely to launch in the coming years.

Many companies are working robustly to identify IPF cause and targeted therapy to overcome the drawbacks of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis treatment. These therapies target a different mechanism and are expected to provide better Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis treatment for patients.

As per our recent analysis, the United States accounts for the largest Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis market size, in comparison to EU5 (United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Spain) and Japan. The considerable growth will be observed at USD 4,861.2 Million in the forecasted years (2017-2028) in the US.

To maintain a good quality of life and to keep oneself happy and healthy, one should eat right, reduce all the worries, stay active, and manage the side effects of the given medications.

Though this damage cannot be repaired, these medications will ease the pain, and sometimes, a lung transplant may be fruitful for some. Knowing how long someone will live with IPF is difficult to determine. Every person is different, and no one can be certain of what the individual experience will be.