Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing chest pain and tightness in my chest. The hospital examination suggested a respiratory disease, but the medication hasn't been very effective. Recently, my cough has worsened. What are the triggers that could lead to pulmonary fibrosis?Doctor's answer:
Often, pulmonary fibrosis is caused by various reasons following pulmonary infections. For example, tuberculosis can lead to pulmonary fibrosis if left untreated for a long time. Occupational diseases such as silicosis can also cause pulmonary fibrosis. Interstitial pneumonia can also result in pulmonary fibrosis, primarily due to a reduction in alveoli in the lungs and an imbalance in blood circulation and ventilation ratios. This is essentially the result of the body's repair process after lung damage. Common causes include the healing of tuberculosis or other injuries. If the fibrosis is limited in scope, it generally has little impact on the body. However, if the fibrosis is extensive, it may lead to reduced lung function, hypoxia, and difficulty breathing.