It's Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. If your mom or dad has this disease, you probably know a little about it. If it's new to you, it's important to know a few facts about the disease. Here are four things you need to know.
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a form of lung disease that damages the tissue within the lungs. It thickens and becomes scarred. This stiff tissue makes it hard for the lungs to do their job. As it progresses, patients have a hard time breathing.
The disease often develops in older men and women. It's uncommon in young adults and children.
Once someone is diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, doctors will try to find why it is happening. Exposure to contaminants like asbestos, coal dust, the feces of certain animals, metal dust, and silica dust are all possibilities. It's not common to find a cause, however.
What Are the Symptoms?
Shortness of breath is common. Other symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are weight loss, aches and pains in the muscles and joints., and a dry, hacking cough, People with pulmonary fibrosis may find their fingers and toes become clubbed, which means they become wide and round. It's also common for someone with pulmonary fibrosis to tire easily.
People with pulmonary fibrosis often develop high blood pressure in the lungs. The high blood pressure can also affect the arteries in the right side of the heart. It can also lead to blood clots.
What Are Treatment Options?
Once tests confirm pulmonary fibrosis, medications to help slow the progression of the disease may be prescribed. These medications can have side effects like diarrhea and nausea. As a result, your parent may need support at home to help make sure dehydration doesn't become an issue.
Oxygen use may be necessary. If your parent is having a hard time with breathing, oxygen treatments will boost the oxygen levels in the bloodstream. Respiratory therapy is also possible. This helps the lungs work more effectively and improves endurance.
What Home Care Services Benefit People With Pulmonary Fibrosis?
For pulmonary fibrosis patients, caregivers are beneficial for medication reminders and encouragement while performing breathing exercises. These are two important reasons to look into home care services after a diagnosis. Companionship is equally important.
Don't let your mom or dad spend hours alone each day. Socialization is an important part of one's mental, physical, and emotional well-being. To make sure your parent has opportunities to socialize, hire a home care professional.
Home care workers do more than cook and clean. They are there for conversation, to ease loneliness, and to help with personal care. Call us today to get started.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING HOME CARE IN DEARBORN PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a form of lung disease that damages the tissue within the lungs. It thickens and becomes scarred. This stiff tissue makes it hard for the lungs to do their job. As it progresses, patients have a hard time breathing.
The disease often develops in older men and women. It's uncommon in young adults and children.
Once someone is diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, doctors will try to find why it is happening. Exposure to contaminants like asbestos, coal dust, the feces of certain animals, metal dust, and silica dust are all possibilities. It's not common to find a cause, however.
What Are the Symptoms?
Shortness of breath is common. Other symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are weight loss, aches and pains in the muscles and joints., and a dry, hacking cough, People with pulmonary fibrosis may find their fingers and toes become clubbed, which means they become wide and round. It's also common for someone with pulmonary fibrosis to tire easily.
People with pulmonary fibrosis often develop high blood pressure in the lungs. The high blood pressure can also affect the arteries in the right side of the heart. It can also lead to blood clots.
What Are Treatment Options?
Once tests confirm pulmonary fibrosis, medications to help slow the progression of the disease may be prescribed. These medications can have side effects like diarrhea and nausea. As a result, your parent may need support at home to help make sure dehydration doesn't become an issue.
Oxygen use may be necessary. If your parent is having a hard time with breathing, oxygen treatments will boost the oxygen levels in the bloodstream. Respiratory therapy is also possible. This helps the lungs work more effectively and improves endurance.
What Home Care Services Benefit People With Pulmonary Fibrosis?
For pulmonary fibrosis patients, caregivers are beneficial for medication reminders and encouragement while performing breathing exercises. These are two important reasons to look into home care services after a diagnosis. Companionship is equally important.
Don't let your mom or dad spend hours alone each day. Socialization is an important part of one's mental, physical, and emotional well-being. To make sure your parent has opportunities to socialize, hire a home care professional.
Home care workers do more than cook and clean. They are there for conversation, to ease loneliness, and to help with personal care. Call us today to get started.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING HOME CARE IN DEARBORN PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.