Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease that causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and scarred. As a result, it is difficult for the lungs to move oxygen into the blood and through the body. IPF currently affects about 200,000 people in the United States. Although the cause of IPF is unknown, there are certain risk factors, such as cigarette smoking and genetics. The main treatment is medications, such as prednisone.
(Click Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis to read the complete eMedTV article, which covers additional symptoms, other names for the condition, possible causes, and more.)
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