lung and airway disorders
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Symptoms depend on the extent of the lung damage, the rate at which the disease progresses, and whether complications, such as lung infections and right-sided heart failure ( Cor Pulmonale ) develop. The main symptoms start insidiously as shortness of breath during exertion, cough, and diminished stamina. In most people, symptoms worsen over a period ranging from about 6 months to several years. ). Strain on the heart may cause the right ventricle to enlarge, eventually resulting in right-sided Heart Failure (HF) . Through a stethoscope, doctors often hear crackling sounds in the lungs. 