Patient's question:
What causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?Doctor's answer:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis refers to pulmonary interstitial fibrosis for which the cause cannot be clearly identified. To date, no definitive cause has been discovered for this type of pulmonary fibrosis. This type is interstitial fibrosis, which requires early use of high-dose corticosteroid therapy, followed by gradual dosage reduction to a maintenance dose, and a period of long-term oral corticosteroid use. After the interstitial fibrosis is completely absorbed, one can attempt to gradually discontinue the use of corticosteroids and carefully observe whether the condition recurs. If there is no recurrence, it can be considered self-recovery.