Symptoms

What are the symptoms of IPF?

Symptoms of IPF aren’t always present when the disease starts and may not be present until the disease has progressed. The main symptom is shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea. Many patients describe it as a feeling of “breathlessness.” Many individuals, especially older patients, often ignore the occasional difficulty with breathing, attributing it to just “getting older” or “being out of shape.” As the condition progresses and the damage to the lungs become more severe, breathlessness may occur with minor physical activity such as showering, getting dressed. Speaking on the phone and eating becomes more difficult and sometimes nearly impossible. Other common symptoms include:

• Chronic dry, hacking cough
• Fatigue and weakness
• Discomfort in the chest
• Loss of appetite
• Rapid weight loss