Pulmonary Fibrosis

If you’re newly diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, finding an experienced health care partner is critical. Even though there isn’t a cure for this condition, certain treatments may slow the disease and help you breathe easier.  

You’ll find these treatments—and more—from pulmonologists at University of Iowa Health Care.  

As the only medical center in Iowa named a PFF Care Center by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, we’re uniquely qualified to manage pulmonary fibrosis.  

We offer: 

• Access to breakthrough medications that slow the rate of scarring in the lungs 
• Opportunities to take part in clinical trials and other types of research  
• Advanced treatments you won’t find anywhere else in Iowa, such as lung transplant 

Our goal is to improve your symptoms and quality of life as your disease progresses

In the early stages of pulmonary fibrosis, symptoms can be mistaken for other, less serious lung diseases. These symptoms include: 

• A persistent dry cough 
• Shortness of breath during physical activity 
• Chest pain that comes and goes 

As your disease progresses, you may also experience: 

We can’t reverse the lung scarring caused by pulmonary fibrosis. However, the earlier we diagnose you, the sooner we can start treating you. This may delay the onset of severe symptoms. 

In the meantime, we’ll provide treatments that help you breathe (and feel) better. 

Pulmonary fibrosis treatment options 

The treatments you’ll need will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms. We offer: 

• Medication: Esbriet (pirfenidone) and OFEV (nintedanib) are known as anti-fibrotic drugs. They help slow the scarring in your lungs so your lungs will work better for a longer period of time. 
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: Specially trained therapists teach you exercises to strengthen your lungs and improve your breathing. 
• Oxygen therapy: If you routinely have low blood oxygen levels, we can prescribe supplemental oxygen therapy. You’ll have small tanks of oxygen delivered to your home. You can breathe in this oxygen as needed, through a tube that sits just inside your nostrils. Oxygen therapy helps you breathe better and can give you more energy. 
• Lung transplant: If you have advanced pulmonary fibrosis and are healthy enough for major surgery, you may qualify for a lung transplant. One of our transplant surgeons would replace your diseased lung(s) with a healthy donor lung.  

Our team will also teach you about—and help you make—lifestyle changes that can benefit your lung health. For example, if you need help quitting smoking, we can refer you to smoking cessation classes.