If you look at your fingers and notice they look ‘oddly’ shaped, and you have other symptoms that you could be brushing off as ‘normal’, you may need to see a GP. A charity, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) say that “rounded and swollen fingertips (clubbed fingers)” could be a sign of a fatal disease.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. The charity stresses that as well as the sign which may appear in your fingers, you may also have a cough which can be “can be intermittent or persistent and usually gets worse over time.”
“Coughing can be an extremely difficult and debilitating symptom to cope with,” they warn. Because of this, people should never assume it’s normal as the sooner you get help, the sooner you can start treatment as sadly, there is currently no cure.
What are the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
The symptoms of IPF tend to develop gradually and get slowly worse over time. Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- a persistent dry cough
- tiredness
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- rounded and swollen fingertips (clubbed fingers)
The NHS warn: “Many people ignore their breathlessness at first and blame it on getting old or being out of shape. But eventually even light activity such as getting dressed can cause shortness of breath.”
They add that you need to “see a GP if you have struggled with your breathing for a while or have had a cough for more than 3 weeks. These symptoms are not normal and should not be ignored.”
What happens to lungs if you have pulmonary fibrosis?
APF explains: “Scar tissue forms in the interstitium and this area becomes thicker. This makes the lungs stiff and less stretchy, which can make you feel short of breath (breathless). Several different mechanisms can cause a cough. Change to the structure of the lungs is one potential cause.
“Scar tissue makes it more difficult for oxygen to move between the alveoli and the blood. Because of this, there is less oxygen available for the body to use.”
Is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fatal?
Sadly, it can be. APF say that research looking at the average life expectancy of people with IPF suggests, on average, “life expectancy was suggested to be 3-5 years from diagnosis.” This varys from person to person though depending on their lifestyle.
What causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
Idiopathic means the cause is unknown. And whilst it’s not known whether some of these factors below directly cause IPF, it has been linked to:
- smoking
- viral infections
- exposure to certain types of dust, such as metal or wood dust
- a family history of IPF – around 1 in 20 people with IPF has another family member with the condition
- acid reflux
What is the treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
Cases vary from person to person so it’s best to consult your doctor to see what could work for you. You can also read What is pulmonary fibrosis? via the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis website here for specific information.
Despite there being no cure and a progressive condition, there are several things you can do to stay as healthy as possible if you have IPF.
These include:
- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- try to keep away from people with chest infections and colds whenever possible
- stopping smoking if you smoke
- making sure you get the annual flu vaccine and one-off pneumococcal vaccine – these infections can be more serious if you have a lung condition
- exercising regularly and staying as fit as you can
Is there support groups I can join?
If you have IPF – or know someone who does – the APF charity has lots of support that you should use. They remind people that you’re not alone and with over 75 pulmonary fibrosis support groups around the country, there is a place for everyone to get help. “Support groups meet informally to share experiences, provide expert information and raise funds and awareness”, they share.
You can find a support group via the Pulmonary fibrosis support groups page here.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
