Awareness event held on IPF disease

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 22

With a view to spread awareness among people about a rare disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), an awareness event was organised.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Arun Walia said, “The number of IPF cases has increased significantly in the last few years. The disease is more common in men as compared to women. This may be because of smoking pattern and exposure to some environmental pollutants. The disease is such that its symptoms tend to vary from individual to individual, however, the initial symptoms always involve breathlessness and dry cough that lasts longer than eight weeks. Any person experiencing these symptoms should visit a doctor at the earliest to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment.”

He said that IPF can have considerable physical and psychological effects on patients and their families, as patients find it difficult to perform daily tasks.