Patient's question:
Recently, my friend has been saying that she has difficulty breathing and often feels physically weak. After a thorough examination at the hospital, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. So, I would like to ask what are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?Doctor's answer:
Difficulty breathing is the most common symptom of pulmonary fibrosis, with other symptoms including mild cough and fatigue. Mild pulmonary fibrosis and difficulty breathing often recur during intense exercise, which is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as other conditions. As pulmonary fibrosis progresses, difficulty breathing may also occur during rest, and patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis may experience progressive difficulty breathing. The severe consequences of pulmonary fibrosis lead to structural changes and functional loss in normal lung tissue. When a large amount of fibrotic tissue that lacks gas exchange function replaces alveoli, oxygen cannot enter the blood, causing patients to experience difficulty breathing, choking, acidosis, and exhaustion. In severe cases, it may ultimately lead to death. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid spicy foods, especially fish, shrimp, and mutton.