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Information
Is interstitial lung disease the same as pulmonary fibrosis?
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis are not the same thing. Pulmonary fibrosis is one type of ILD.
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What is interstitial lung disease?
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The interstitium is the network of tissue around the air sacs in your lungs, where oxygen and other gases enter and leave your bloodstream.
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Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) affect this network of tissue. There are many types of ILDs. Some cause lung scarring (fibrosis), such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asbestosis. Other ILDs cause inflammation (the body’s reaction to injury) but not lung scarring.
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Some ILDs can cause both inflammation and lung scarring, including sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
The distinction is important because scarring (fibrosis) is usually permanent and may get worse, whereas inflammation can improve with treatment.
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What is pulmonary fibrosis?
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Pulmonary fibrosis describes a group of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) where there is lung scarred. Because of the scarring, the lungs become progressively smaller and stiffer. This makes it hard to breathe and eventually reduces the oxygen levels in the blood.
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Pulmonary fibrosis symptoms can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Finger clubbing (fingertips that are rounded and swollen)
- Tiredness and fatigue
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The outlook for pulmonary fibrosis depends on your condition, your general health and when you were diagnosed. In some people, lung scarring progresses quickly, while in others, it progresses slowly. There is research being conducted to try and understand why scarring occurs more quickly in some individuals and not in others.
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ILD conditions
The most common ILDs cause pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis conditions include:
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Support for living with pulmonary fibrosis
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ILD services and Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis often run support groups for patients, offering information, emotional support and signposting advice.
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There are Pulmonary Fibrosis support groups and networks available across the UK. Support groups provide emotional support, information, practical guidance and signposting advice for anyone living with and affected by pulmonary fibrosis.
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Our website and resources provide general information only. We cannot provide medical advice, treatment or prescriptions, nor can we assess/decide what services or clinicians you should be referred to. Support with these matters will need to be provided by your existing healthcare professional teams.
APF is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage suffered by users resulting from the information published on our website or in our resources.
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