Pulmonary Fibrosis is unique in the sense that everyone diagnosed with it has an individual experience. There is no standard clinical course. That is why there are numerous treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.
Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis
As mentioned, there are multiple treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. They are as follows: oxygen therapy, drug therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lung transplantation.
Oxygen therapy – it is prescribed if an individual’s oxygen levels drop below roughly 88%. It is up to your doctor how he or she chooses to measure your oxygen. Sometimes they look at it while you are resting, other times your doctor will get you to walk on a treadmill. Whatever way your doctor chooses, if your oxygen level falls below 88%, your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy so that your overall oxygen level does not continue to drop.
Drug therapy – this will depend on the type of pulmonary fibrosis a person has. There are three common drug treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. They include , which is an anti-fibrotic drug approved to treat IPF; Pirfenidone, an antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug; and Corticosteroids, used to treat the inflammation by weakening an individual’s immune system.
Pulmonary rehabilitation – if none of the other treatments for pulmonary fibrosis work for you, you can choose to try this route. Pulmonary rehabilitation includes a number of things, such as anxiety, depression, stress management, breathing exercises, and education. Essentially, the goal is to allow an individual to restore complete function without getting breathless.
Lung transplantation – this is another choice in regards to treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. Essentially, this is the replacement of one or two lungs with a new lung(s). The lung(s) will come from a donor. Keep in mind that transplant centres have strict criteria and, unfortunately, it is not possible for everyone to become a candidate.
The Takeaway
Did any of these treatments for pulmonary fibrosis catch your eye? Remember to speak with your doctor first to find out which treatments for pulmonary fibrosis will work best for you.
Posted on May 5, 2023