Pulmonary Fibrosis Flashcards
what is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) characterised by?
characterised by the accumulation of fibrous scar tissue in the lungs
what are the consequenecs of excess fibrous tissue in the lungs?
- decreased lung compliance
- lungs are difficult to inflate
- respiratory membrane is thicker than normal
what happens at the respiratory membrane?
gas exchange occurs
name the symptoms of IPF
- Dyspnoea
- Unproductive persistent cough
- SOB
- Muscular pain
- Joint pain
- Unexplained weight loss
what causes lung injury in IPF?
- Other lung diseases
- Smoking
- Inhaled toxic fumes
- Infections
- Radiation exposure
- Autoimmune conditions
what are the 2 outcomes of lung injury?
normal wound healing –> results in normal functioning lung tissue
abnormal wound healing –> causes interstitial lung disease –> resulting in pulmonary fibrosis
what is the interstitium?
the respiratory membrane inbetween blood and alveoli where O2 and CO2 are exchanged
what effect does PF have on the interstitium?
the interstitium is thickened due to scarring caused by excess fibrous lung tissue
what are the consequences of a thickened interstitium?
it causes an increased diffusion distance for O2 and CO2 to move across, causing impaired gas exchange
