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Ency. home > Disease > I > Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Idiopathic diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis; IPF; Pulmonary fibrosis; Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis; CFA; Fibrosing alveolitis; Usual interstitial pneumonia; UIP

Definition:

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is scarring, thickening, and inflammation of the deep lung tissues of unknown cause.

Causes and Risks

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a disease of the lower respiratory tract that leads to the loss of the functional alveolar (air sac) units and a limit in the transfer of oxygen from air to blood. There is widespread inflammation and deposition of scar tissue within the lung tissue.

Damage to the lung tissue occurs as a result of an inflammatory response to an unknown agent. (Idiopathic means unknown cause). The disease occurs most often in people between 50 and 70 years old. Nearly ¾ of patients with IPF have smoked cigarettes.

Ency. home > Disease > I > Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

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