Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious chronic disease that affects the tissue surrounding the air sacs, or alveoli, in the lungs. It is a type of interstitial lung disease (ILD) that causes thickening and scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, making it difficult for the lungs to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream and deliver enough oxygen to the rest of the body. The exact cause of IPF is unknown, but it has been linked to exposure to certain types of dust, viral infections, a family history of IPF, acid reflux, and smoking. However, it is not known whether some of these factors directly cause IPF.

The symptoms of IPF include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and aching muscles and joints. IPF is hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To diagnose IPF, a doctor may order a range of tests, including a chest X-ray, CT scan, lung function tests, and a lung biopsy.

There is currently no cure for IPF, but there are several treatments that can help relieve the symptoms and slow down its progression. Treatments include self-care measures, such as stopping smoking, eating healthily, and exercising regularly, as well as medicines to reduce the rate at which scarring worsens, such as pirfenidone and nintedanib. Other problems can also sometimes develop, including chest infections, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure. Its very difficult to predict how long someone with IPF will survive at the time of diagnosis, but regular monitoring over time can indicate whether its getting worse quickly or slowly[[6]](https://www.svhlunghealth.com.au/conditions/ipf-idiopat...