Test for IPF if you have bad cough: Dr Harjit Singh Dumra

Suffering from a chronic cough, unexplained weight loss, pain in the chest etc? It could be a case of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and fatal disease characterized by a progressive decline in lung function.

Dr Harjit Singh Dumra, Pulmonologist, Sparsh Chest Hospital said that of the 100 cases of fibrosis in Gujarat at least 15 are of IPF. "There is an increasing trend of IPF in India and it is important to spread awareness about symptoms and early diagnosis," said Dr Dumra.

IPF is a type of lung disease that results in damage and scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. Over time, this thickened, and stiff scarring becomes worse, making it hard to breathe. Further, as the disease progresses, day to day activities of individual is hampered due to deprivation of oxygen to the body.

He said the disease is more common in males and this may be because of smoking patterns and exposure to some environmental pollutants.