Does anyone here have Pulmonary Fibrosis or know of someone? Do you know of any !
Question: Pulmonary Fibrosis? Do you know of any remedies for it besides what a Dr. can do?
Answers: Pulmonary Fibrosis? Do you know of any remedies for it besides what a Dr. can do?
Self-care
Being actively involved in your own treatment and staying as healthy as possible are essential to living with pulmonary fibrosis. For that reason, it's important to:
Stop smoking. If you have lung disease, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about options for quitting, including smoking cessation programs, which use a variety of proven techniques to help people quit. And because secondhand smoke can be just as harmful to your lungs, don't allow other people to smoke around you.
Exercise regularly. Exercise is a double-edged sword for people with lung disease. It can make symptoms worse, yet it's essential for maintaining lung function, reducing stress and improving overall health and well-being. What's more, strong muscles work more efficiently than weak muscles do, so they require less oxygen to accomplish ordinary tasks.
If you're already exercising, don't stop. And if you're not currently physically active, consider starting with a moderate workout, such as riding a stationary bike or walking. For instance, you might begin walking at a comfortable pace for just 10 minutes a day. Once you can walk the entire time without stopping to rest, increase the length of your walk by a minute or two each week. Many people with severe lung disease eventually can walk at least 30 minutes nonstop. If you've been prescribed oxygen for regular use, be sure to use it when you exercise.
You might also ask your doctor for a referral to an exercise physiologist, who can design an exercise program specifically for you. Most of all, don't allow friends and family to talk you out of getting the exercise you need.
Eat well. People with lung disease may lose weight both because it's uncomfortable to eat and because of the extra energy it takes to breathe. Yet a nutritionally rich diet that contains adequate calories is essential. The type of food you eat, the time of day and the size of portions can all play a role in getting the nourishment you need. Because it's easier to breathe when your stomach isn't completely full, you may want to eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than two or three large ones. You might also try choosing lighter fare, such as fruit and salads, rather than rich or fatty foods, which take more energy to digest. A dietitian can give you further guidelines for healthy eating.
Get plenty of rest. Getting at least eight hours of good-quality rest every night can boost your immune system and sense of well-being.
Control GERD. If you've been diagnosed with GERD, it's essential to keep it under control. You can help reduce acid reflux by waiting at least three to four hours after eating before lying down, eating smaller meals, avoiding any foods that trigger your symptoms and maintaining a healthy weight.
that sounds serious. you shouldn't fool around with folk remedies--why don't you want to be treated by a doctor?
I have PF and can tell you there is no definitive treatment other than a lung transplant. Unfortunately, most of us either are not a good physical candidate for lung transplant, or there are no organs to harvest when we need them the most. This disease is as effective a killer as there is. It is fatal 100% of the time and kills approximately 50,000 people in the US alone each year, and that number is on the rise. Little is known about the disease and there are no successful treatments available at this time.
In addition to the advice you received from previous responders, you also need to control the exposure to other diseases. This means no one, and I mean no one, with a cold or flu should ever visit the person who is ill. Something as benign as the common cold will kill most people with PF due to the secondary infections that follow. If you are going to be around someone with PF, make sure you wash your hands frequently and make sure the afflicted does so as well.
This is a nasty way to die. The life expectancy varies, but is usually 3 to 5 years after the initial diagnosis. The only hope for people who suffer from PF is through research. If you want to help, donate to one of the following:
http://www.coalitionforpf.org/
http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/
Hope this helped answer your question.