What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) describes a condition in which the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff, and scarred. The medical terminology used to describe this scar tissue is fibrosis. The alveoli (air sacs) and the blood vessels within the lungs are responsible for delivering oxygen to the body, including the brain, heart, and other organs. All of the body’s functions depend upon delivery of a steady supply of oxygen. As lung tissue becomes scarred and thicker, it is more difficult for the lungs to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain, heart, and other organs do not get the oxygen they need to function properly. In some cases, doctors can determine the cause of the fibrosis (scarring), but in many cases the cause remains unknown. When there is no known cause for the development of pulmonary fibrosis, the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF.