Insidious disease that leaves you breathless

Pointing out that lung hardening is most common in men, Prof. Dr. Bingöl said:

"Lung hardening is a disease that should not be taken lightly. Lung diseases that progress silently can often reach a serious stage when symptoms are noticed. One of these is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), popularly known as lung hardening. Lung hardening is the formation of scar tissue around the air sacs in the lungs and the lungs lose their flexibility over time. Normally, our lungs expand easily while breathing and shrink again with the breath we exhale. However, when scar tissue forms, the lungs harden. Oxygen is removed from the lungs." It becomes difficult for it to pass into the blood and the person begins to experience shortness of breath, especially when moving. Lung hardening is not the name of a single disease. Rheumatic diseases, some medications, exposure to occupational dust and other lung diseases can also cause hardening of the lungs. Therefore, it is important to make the correct diagnosis.

IT IS SEEN IN 5 OUT OF EVERY 100 THOUSAND PEOPLE

According to current data, the incidence of IPF in Turkey is calculated as approximately 5 new cases per 100 thousand people per year. Over time, increased shortness of breath, difficulty in walking and daily tasks, decreased blood oxygen levels and the need for oxygen therapy, increased pressure in the lung vessels, strain on the right side of the heart, and in some patients, heart failure, sudden deterioration attacks and respiratory failure may occur.