Everyone is different. Together with your medical team you will find what treatment suits you. The focus of treatment is finding ways to reduce symptoms and to support your mental well-being with the goal of improving quality of life for you, your family and carers.
Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Treatment depends on the types and causes of pulmonary fibrosis. There are drug treatments for IPF and treatments for other types of PF. New treatments are being developed through clinical trials all the time.
There are 23 specialist Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) centres in the UK, with doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals dedicated to the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
There are a number of treatments to help with symptom control. These include:
- Breathlessness management and pulmonary rehabilitation
- Oxygen therapy – if blood oxygen levels fall with exercise or when resting
- Cough suppressants and mucolytics to aid sputum clearance
- Management of anxiety and panic attacks
Your doctor may suggest assessment by palliative and supportive care specialists for helping with symptom control and psychological support. If you smoke, there is help to stop smoking.
For some people, referral for lung transplantation may be discussed. There are a number of novel therapies being evaluated in clinical trials for IPF. Please discuss with your doctor if you are interested in finding out about clinical trials.