The specific known causes associated with Interestial Pulmonary Fibrosis include: "airborne toxins in the workplace, certain lung diseases, radiation directed to cancers in the lung or breast, and even some type of medical treatments" (Mayo clinic, 2014). .
Although there is no cure to Pulmonary Fibrosis, numerous alternative therapies and treatments are available to help diminish the symptoms of PF. Since the scarring of the lungs cannot be reversed, treatment for patients focuses on slowing the disease down and improvement in breathing. The best treatments and medications differ from patient to patient (Meyer, 2014). For example, Kate's treatment plan included medications and therapies, such as "Prednisone, antibiotics, nebulizers, oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation" (Personal communication, 2015). Like most patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis, the medications and oxygen can only relieve symptoms for so long. Some might even stop responding to the treatments; in that case a doctor might recommend a lung transplant. Even though Kate's treatment plan was effective, her illness was too progressive to be controlled using medications. Kate's next option was to receive a lung transplant, which is said to be the most effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis, since it diminishes the patients' symptoms the most. Lung transplants are not recommended for every patient, but for ones with a severe or rapidly worsening condition. If the patient is a good candidate for a lung transplant they will be admitted to the transplant list in hopes of receiving two new healthy lungs (Meyer, 2014). However, there are steps to be taken to recover from a lung transplant in order to prevent rejection and infections. .
The symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis depend on the severity and extent of what stage the patient is and the amount of scar tissue that has built up (Mayo clinic, 2014). The signs and symptoms most closely associated with pulmonary fibrosis are dyspnea, chronic cough, and crackles when inhaling.
