What are the causes and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?
The causes and risk factors vary with the underlying disease. They may include genetics, environmental factors, and infections. The first symptom of pulmonary fibrosis is usually shortness of breath—at first, during exercise, but later also while resting. Patients may also have a dry cough, a rapid heartbeat, or enlargement of the fingertips and ends of the toes. Some people feel tired or have a fever, weight loss, muscle or joint pains. In late stages of the disease, the lack of oxygen in the blood can give the skin and mucus membranes a blue tinge known as cyanosis. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.
