In recognition of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, physicians at the INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital are raising awareness about pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and often underdiagnosed lung disease that causes irreversible scarring of lung tissue and a gradual decline in respiratory function.
In recognition of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, physicians at INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital Advanced Cardiopulmonary Care are raising awareness about pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a progressive and often underdiagnosed lung disease that causes irreversible scarring of lung tissue and a gradual decline in respiratory function.
As Oklahoma’s only comprehensive multi-organ transplant center and the state’s only lung transplant program, INTEGRIS Health provides advanced diagnostic evaluation and treatment options for patients with complex and end-stage lung disease, including interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary fibrosis often develops gradually and early symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions. Common signs include:
“Pulmonary fibrosis can progress silently in its early stages, which is why many patients are diagnosed later than ideal,” said Mark Rolfe, M.D., a pulmonologist who focuses on transplant medicine and critical care with the INTEGRIS Health Center for Advanced Lung Disease. “Persistent shortness of breath or a chronic dry cough without a clear cause should prompt early specialized evaluation.”
Because symptoms are often subtle at first, diagnosis is frequently delayed. However, early evaluation can significantly improve access to treatment and supportive care.
Early diagnosis may allow for:
While some cases have no identifiable cause, known risk factors include:
Individuals should seek medical evaluation if they experience:
“Pulmonary fibrosis is a life-changing diagnosis for both patients and their families,” said Rolfe. “Greater awareness and earlier diagnosis and treatment can make a meaningful difference in outcomes and quality of life.”
As the INTEGRIS Health Center for Advanced Lung Disease continues to expand its Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) program, physicians emphasize the importance of early referral to specialized centers with expertise in diagnosing and managing the disease. The center provides access to multidisciplinary care, advanced therapies and, when appropriate, evaluation for lung transplant as a last-resort treatment option for patients with progressive disease.
For more information or to refer a patient, visit the INTEGRIS Health Lung Transplant Center or call 405-951-8523.
