Symptoms

Pulmonary fibrosis symptoms

Early signs of PF include:

• Coughing 
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired
• Losing weight without trying.

What makes PF hard to spot?

PF is more common in older people. Sometimes, it’s easy to think the symptoms are just part of getting older or being unfit. Older people may also have other health problems, like sore joints or heart trouble, which can hide PF symptoms. Other illnesses, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and heart disease, can also have similar symptoms. It can sometimes take a while for doctors to rule out these other problems and know if someone has PF. 

Common signs and symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of PF include:

Breathlessness

You might notice this when moving around or even when you’re resting. For some people, it gets so bad that they can feel breathless doing everyday things like showering, getting dressed, or talking on the phone.

Cough

If you have an annoying dry cough that won’t go away, this can be an early sign of PF. You might first notice this cough after a chest infection, but it doesn’t get any better.

Fatigue

It can be difficult to tell the difference between feeling tired all the time and feeling breathless after physical activity. People with PF often say there are days when they have no energy and feel completely exhausted.

Weight loss

In the early stages of PF, you may feel less hungry and lose weight without trying. This can also be linked to feeling tired.

Oxygen levels

You may have low oxygen levels. Doctors can check this with a small probe on your finger.

Blue lips and tongue

You might have blue lips and tongue.

Clubbing of fingernails and toenails

Known as ‘clubbing’, your finger and toenails might curve downwards like a beak, or your fingertips might appear to be bulging.

Associated conditions

Some people with PF also have other associated health problems, like rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma. These can also cause changes to your joints, muscles, and skin.

Cough & breathlessness guide [link: https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/cough-and-breathlessness-book-living-with-pulmonary-fibrosis/ ]
[link] Partnering with your PF healthcare team webinar [link: https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/partnering-with-your-pulmonary-fibrosis-healthcare-team/ ]
[link] Updates on treatments for PF [link: https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/updates-on-treatments-for-pulmonary-fibrosis/ ]

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