Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

The most common signs and symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath that gets worse over time. At first, you may be short of breath only during exercise. Over time, you may feel breathless even at rest.
• A dry cough that gets worse. You may have repeated bouts of coughing that you cannot control.

Other signs and symptoms may include:

• Aching muscles and joints
• Clubbing, which is a widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes
• Fatigue
• Gradual, unintended weight loss
• Generally feeling unwell
• Rapid, shallow breathing

Complications of IPF may include the following:

• Depression and anxiety
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Respiratory failure
• Sleep problems or disorders

• Diagnosis will discuss tests and procedures used to detect signs of IPF and help rule out other conditions that may mimic IPF.
• Treatment will explain treatment-related complications or side effects.
• Living With will explain what to do if symptoms worsen or come back after treatment.