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.
Resources
In Australia, lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the
The BE WELL COPD education video from Lung Foundation Australia is a
The BE WELL Yarning Scripts and Illustrations is a comprehensive education resource
The Learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with COPD
Lung Foundation Australia, in collaboration with the Centre of Research Excellence in
About the COPD Action Plan The *COPD Action Plan* from Lung Foundation
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