What is a Lung Scar?
A lung scar, also known as pulmonary fibrosis, is damage to the lung tissue that results in the formation of scar tissue. This scar tissue thickens and stiffens the lung tissue, making it harder for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream and impacting breathing. The scarring occurs around and between the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli.
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Causes: Many things can cause lung scarring, including various diseases, environmental factors, and even previous lung injuries. Some causes include infections, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to certain toxins. In some cases, the cause remains unknown (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis).
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Symptoms: Common symptoms can include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, fatigue, and chest pain. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent of the scarring.
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Diagnosis: Diagnosis often involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, chest X-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and sometimes a lung biopsy.
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Treatment: Treatments aim to slow the progression of scarring and manage symptoms. These might include medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and in some cases, lung transplantation.
Examples of Conditions Leading to Lung Scarring
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Pulmonary Fibrosis: This is the most common type of lung scarring, and it's a progressive and chronic disease. Mayo Clinic describes it as a lung disease resulting from lung tissue damage and scarring, leading to thickened, stiff tissue. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/understanding-pff/about-pulmonary-fibrosis/what-is-pulmonary-fibrosis) explains that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) causes lung scarring where fibrotic tissue blocks oxygen movement from the air sacs.
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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): This is a specific type of pulmonary fibrosis where the cause is unknown. The NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/) explains that in IPF, the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.
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COVID-19 Related Lung Damage: In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause lung scarring. Johns Hopkins Medicine (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/what-coronavirus-does-to-the-lungs) notes that COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia and, in severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
