Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTypesSymptoms and ComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentFinding ReliefOutlook
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Types
Symptoms and Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Finding Relief
Outlook
Lung scarring changes the normally thin tissue in the lungs into thick, scarred tissue. This makes it difficult for oxygen to reach your bloodstream, leaving you short of breath. Eventually, the illness can contribute to early death, although many people live years with the disease.Healthcare providers refer to lung scarring as “pulmonary fibrosis”—pulmonary means “lung,” andfibrosismeans “scarring.” There are more than 100 conditions that can lead to lung scarring. Together, they are called interstitial lung disease.Oftentimes, the cause of lung scarring isn’t clear, so healthcare providers call it idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, meaning the cause isn’t known.
Continue reading to learn more about pulmonary fibrosis symptoms, pulmonary fibrosis treatment, and how to live well with lung scarring.
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What Causes Lung Scarring?
It’s normal for the lungs to become damaged from environmental toxins, medications, lung disease, or illnesses, including COVID-19. In most cases, the body heals the damage, and the lungs function normally. However, in the case of more serious damage, scar tissue forms. Healthcare providers aren’t sure why scar tissue forms in response to some lung damage, but not others, or why scarring worsens with time.
Any condition that causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs falls under the umbrella of interstitial lung disease, which covers more than 100 conditions. The scarring itself is called pulmonary fibrosis.Unfortunately, the scarring gets worse with time, which is why pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease.
A Word From Verywell
—SANJA JELIC, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Types of Lung Scarring
There are many different types of lung scarring. Pulmonary fibrosis is the term used to refer to more than 200 different diseases with similar symptoms and causes.Getting the most accurate diagnosis can help you get the most impactful treatments. Here is an overview of some of the most common.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosisis the most common type of lung scarring. And yet, it may be such a big grouping because this term is used when healthcare providers don’t know what caused the scarring. The word “idiopathic” means “of unknown cause.”
There are certain risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including:
Occupational lung diseases
COVID-19-related pulmonary fibrosis
Lung scarring is one of the potential long-term side effects of COVID-19 infection. It’s more common in people who had severe COVID infection, as well as in males and older people.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases, includingarthritis, sarcoidosis, and systemic sclerosis, can all cause lung scarring.
Drug-induced lung diseases
Certain medications can cause pulmonary fibrosis, including:
The first symptoms many people with lung scarring notice are shortness of breath and a dry cough. Other symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:
Lung scarring is permanent. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you’ll be living with a chronic, progressive, life-limiting disease. For most people, the ability to breathe becomes more difficult over time. Still, medications and treatment can help. The most serious complication from lung scarring is death, but working closely with your healthcare team can help you stay active for longer.
How Is Lung Scarring Diagnosed?
After taking your health history, a healthcare provider will often listen to your lungs and measure your oxygen level using apulse oximeter. They’ll then use tests and imaging, including:
Sometimes, your healthcare provider might ask you to exercise, like walking on a treadmill, to see how your lungs function during movement.
How Are Scars on the Lungs Treated?
There’s no way to cure lung scarring, but there aretreatments for pulmonary fibrosisthat can slow the progression of the disease and help you feel better.Your treatment goals will be based on your age, health, activity level, and daily activities that you wish to maintain. It’s important to be open and honest with your healthcare provider about the impact of certain treatments and any side effects.
Medications
Depending on the type of lung scarring you have, medications can help:
Therapy, rehab and lifestyle changes
Non-medication treatments can also help with the symptoms of lung scarring. These treatments include:
Lung transplant
A lung transplantis a good treatment option for some people with lung scarring. It’s important to get evaluated for a lung transplant soon after diagnosis, even if you’re not sure you would want to choose this treatment.
Lifestyle Tips to Find Relief
Getting the diagnosis of lung scarring can be really frightening. Living a healthy lifestyle and nurturing your physical and emotional health can help. Here are some tips:
What’s the Outlook?
The average life expectancy for someone with lung scarring is three to five years. However, some people live much longer than that. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prolong your life.For the most accurate prognosis, have an honest conversation with your healthcare provider.
Summary
Lung scarring, known medically as pulmonary fibrosis, can make it difficult to breathe in enough oxygen. When that happens, you may experience symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and coughing. There is no cure for lung scarring, but treatments, including medication, oxygen therapy, and rehabilitation, can help you maintain your quality of life for longer while living with this chronic disease.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.What is pulmonary fibrosis?Johns Hopkins.Interstitial lung disease: Pulmonary fibrosis.National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.John Hopkins Medicine.Occupational lung diseases.Alrajhi NN.Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: an ongoing concern.Ann Thorac Med. 2023. doi:10.4103/atm.atm_7_23.Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.Types of pulmonary fibrosis.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis.MedlinePlus:Pulmonary fibrosis.American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?November 17, 2022.American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?May 5, 2023.American Lung Associataion.Lung transplant and pulmonary fibrosis.American Lung Association.Living with pulmonary fibrosis FAQ. November 17, 2022.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.What is pulmonary fibrosis?Johns Hopkins.Interstitial lung disease: Pulmonary fibrosis.National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.John Hopkins Medicine.Occupational lung diseases.Alrajhi NN.Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: an ongoing concern.Ann Thorac Med. 2023. doi:10.4103/atm.atm_7_23.Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.Types of pulmonary fibrosis.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis.MedlinePlus:Pulmonary fibrosis.American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?November 17, 2022.American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?May 5, 2023.American Lung Associataion.Lung transplant and pulmonary fibrosis.American Lung Association.Living with pulmonary fibrosis FAQ. November 17, 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.What is pulmonary fibrosis?Johns Hopkins.Interstitial lung disease: Pulmonary fibrosis.National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.John Hopkins Medicine.Occupational lung diseases.Alrajhi NN.Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: an ongoing concern.Ann Thorac Med. 2023. doi:10.4103/atm.atm_7_23.Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.Types of pulmonary fibrosis.Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis.MedlinePlus:Pulmonary fibrosis.American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?November 17, 2022.American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?May 5, 2023.American Lung Associataion.Lung transplant and pulmonary fibrosis.American Lung Association.Living with pulmonary fibrosis FAQ. November 17, 2022.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.What is pulmonary fibrosis?
Johns Hopkins.Interstitial lung disease: Pulmonary fibrosis.
National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
John Hopkins Medicine.Occupational lung diseases.
Alrajhi NN.Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: an ongoing concern.Ann Thorac Med. 2023. doi:10.4103/atm.atm_7_23.
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.Types of pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.Drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
MedlinePlus:Pulmonary fibrosis.
American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed?November 17, 2022.
American Lung Association.How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?May 5, 2023.
American Lung Associataion.Lung transplant and pulmonary fibrosis.
American Lung Association.Living with pulmonary fibrosis FAQ. November 17, 2022.
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