What factors affect life expectancy with lung fibrosis?
Although the course of pulmonary fibrosis may vary from man to person and there is no definitive way to find out how quickly it will proceed in this case, there are several factors that are usually considered to be affecting the life of a person with lung fibrosis. People diagnosed at earlier age, especially women and non -smokers, often live longer than others. When the disease is recognized until the first setting of symptoms and at the time of diagnosis there is minimal lung damage and shortness of breath at the time of diagnosis, patients have a much greater chance of increased survival. Other factors that can lead to increased life expectancy are knowledge of the cause and respond well to treatment soon. Those who find that they have a disease when they are younger, usually live longer. Women also tend to use lung fibrosis than men. Those who have and the history of smoking and thus more lung damage is more likely to have a shorter survival time.
Thediagnosis time is also usually very important in estimating how long the patient will live with lung fibrosis. This disease can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, but those who are diagnosed during the first year after they notice symptoms have a much greater chance of longer life. Their chances are even better if the scarring in the lungs is not very extensive at the time of diagnosis and if their breathing is still good.
those who have lung fibrosis caused by a known problem often have a better life expectancy than those who do not do so. People whose lungs are scarred by infection or diseases such as systemic sclerosis can usually be treated by the solution of the basic problem. Damage from environmental factors can be reduced if exposure is stopped. Alternatively, those with idiopathic lung fibrosis, where the cause is unknown, tends to have a shorter survival time.
Another factor that often leads to an increased life expectancy with the lung fiBrose is a good reaction to treatment. This may include medicines, oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. Patients who have been doing well with these treatments within three to six months often have a better prognosis and live longer than those who do not do so.