What are the treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a branch of lung disease. Its symptoms often worsen after exercise or fatigue, and are often accompanied by dry cough and shortness of breath. The disease progresses slowly and may worsen if not treated thoroughly. The cause of this disease is still unknown. It is generally believed that it is a diffuse inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, and glucocorticoid treatment is often used to control the progression of the disease.

Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis:

1. The main clinical symptom is progressively worsening dyspnea.

2. There are typical diffuse interstitial disease shadows in the lungs.

3. No cause of the disease was found.

4. Restrictive ventilation dysfunction and decreased diffusion function.

5. Lung biopsy can help confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment principles

1. Glucocorticoids are the first choice drug for this disease.

2. Immunosuppressants are used for patients who do not respond well to glucocorticoids or in combination with glucocorticoids for treatment.

3. Traditional Chinese medicine is used as auxiliary treatment.

4. Other symptomatic measures: such as oxygen therapy, antibiotic treatment to control lung infection, etc.

5. Lung transplantation.

Medication principles

1. Mild cases are treated with glucocorticoids, and severe cases are treated with the immunosuppressant azathioprine.

2. For severe or acute cases, large doses of hydrocortisone should be used as shock therapy.

3. Combination with traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the side effects of hormones or immunosuppressants.