Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff, and scarred over time, leading to breathing difficulties. The exact cause of pulmonary fibrosis is not fully understood, but it is believed to start with damage or inflammation to the lung tissue, which triggers an abnormal healing response.
The scarring typically starts in the small air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, and then spreads to the surrounding tissue. Over time, the scarring can become extensive, affecting larger areas of the lungs and making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
In some cases, pulmonary fibrosis can be linked to certain risk factors such as exposure to environmental toxins, autoimmune diseases, and genetic factors. It is important to note that in many cases, the cause of pulmonary fibrosis remains unknown, and the disease is then referred to as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
