It sounds like you're asking about lupus and pulmonary fibrosis — a condition where lung tissue becomes scarred over time, making it harder to breathe. This can happen with lupus due to long-term inflammation in the lungs.
With lupus, the immune system can attack lung tissue, leading to a condition called interstitial lung Show Full Answer
It sounds like you're asking about lupus and pulmonary fibrosis — a condition where lung tissue becomes scarred over time, making it harder to breathe. This can happen with lupus due to long-term inflammation in the lungs.
With lupus, the immune system can attack lung tissue, leading to a condition called interstitial lung disease (ILD). Over time, this inflammation can cause scarring (fibrosis) in the tissue surrounding the air sacs in the lungs. When the air sacs can't fully expand, less oxygen reaches the body. Symptoms to watch for include:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing, especially during exercise
- A dry cough that doesn't go away
- Fatigue
A MyLupusTeam member shared: "I have ILD. I do see a pulmonary doctor since my first time in the hospital because my breathing was bad to the point it affected my heart." Treatment may include immunosuppressant medications or anti-inflammatory medicines to slow further damage. Unfortunately, scarring that has already formed won't go away, so catching symptoms early is really important.
It's worth speaking with both a rheumatologist and a pulmonary specialist to get the best care for managing this alongside lupus.
August 2
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