8Outlook for People with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
The symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis tend to become worse over time. While you can take certain steps to slow progression, it is impossible to prevent the damage and scarring in the lungs completely. It would take a few years before you experience difficulty breathing, which requires you to seek oxygen therapy. When lung function is limited severely, more severe complications may happen. These include pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, or heart failure. A lung transplant may improve the long-term outlook. Other lifestyle changes and treatment options may also improve your quality of life. [11]
Life Expectancy with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis mainly affects those people who are between 50 and 70 years old. Therefore, the average life expectancy is around 3 to 5 years after the initial diagnosis. This may depend on some factors, such as the overall health, age, intensity of symptoms, and the speed of progression. Currently, a lung transplant is the best way to improve life expectancy. However, it may pose some possible risks. [12]
