
Air Pollution Increases Risk of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Air pollution significantly increases the risk of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Turkish Thoracic Society experts have issued various warnings to raise public awareness on this issue. IPF is a disease of unknown cause, and its progression can be prevented with regular checkups and correct use of medications.
The week starting on the 3rd Monday of September is considered IPF awareness week. Making a statement on this occasion, Turkish Thoracic Society Central Executive Board Member Prof. Dr. Çağlar Çuhadaroğlu drew attention to the fact that air pollution can contribute to the formation of this disease, increase its severity and increase hospitalization rates.
Metal Dust, Wood Dust and Pesticides Increase Disease Risk
Prof. Dr. Çuhadaroğlu said, “Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, commonly known as the hardening of lung tissue, is a progressive lung disease of unknown cause. In this disease, the areas in the lungs where air flow is provided and blood is cleaned become thickened with a tissue called fibrosis and gas flow is impaired. This causes complaints such as progressive shortness of breath and cough in patients. IPF is generally more common in individuals over the age of 50, in tobacco users and in men.”
Recent studies have shown that air pollution plays a role in initiating and triggering the process of fibrosis in the lung. Ambient air pollutants can affect the development of the disease, increase its severity, trigger hospitalizations, and increase mortality rates. Occupational exposures, especially metal dust, wood dust, pesticides, and agriculture, increase the risk of IPF.
Vaccines and Medicines Should Not Be Disrupted
Early diagnosis is of critical importance in many diseases, including this one. Regarding the symptoms that IPF patients should pay attention to, Turkish Thoracic Society Clinical Problems Working Group Chair Prof. Dr. Züleyha Bingöl said, “The most common symptoms are dry cough, shortness of breath and limitation in physical activities. Since IPF is a progressive disease, early diagnosis is very important. Early diagnosis and initiation of anti-fibrotic drugs that prevent the formation of fibrotic tissue that causes thickening in the lungs can slow down the progression of the disease, although it does not reverse the damage that has occurred.”
In addition, patients should quit smoking, participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs, take their medications regularly, and get pneumonia and flu vaccinations. Advanced cases of IPF may require a lung transplant. Therefore, it is recommended that people with unexplained dry cough and shortness of breath see a pulmonologist.
"Finally, a detailed assessment of patients' environmental and occupational exposures is of great importance in understanding the pathogenesis and course of IPF. Identifying and eliminating these risks will make significant contributions to global public health." (BSHA - Science and Health News Agency)