What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a condition that describes scarring of the lungs—called fibrosis—a process in which the tissue in the lungs thicker and stiffer than normal. PF makes it harder for the lungs to expand and for oxygen to be absorbed from the lungs into bloodstream. These changes result in symptoms such as feeling short of breath and cough.
Key Points
- PF falls under a larger group of diseases called interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILDs cause inflammation and/or scarring around the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. When scarring occurs, we call this pulmonary fibrosis.
- Most often the cause of PF is unknown. This is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). PF can also be caused by inhaling hazardous chemicals, injury from environmental or occupational exposures, as a complication of certain medications or other conditions, or the result of autoimmune conditions. In addition, genetic factors play an important role.
- PF is a chronic lung disease, which means symptoms may be treated, but there is no cure. Progression of PF can vary both by cause and by person, so there isn’t a sure way to predict what your individual experience will be. It’s important to be mindful of the signs and symptoms that indicate progression and communicate those to your healthcare provider.
Page last updated: August 21, 2025
