I was diagnosed with IPF or PF. I am going into my 5th year and maintain a 6 minute walk above 91 o2 level. Is this typical of the disease my

Hello Anon

Thank you for writing.

For the benefit of our readers, pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive disease where alveoli and interstitial tissues (tissues in between the cells) of the lungs become scarred. This scarred tissue compromises the lungs' ability to complete the carbon dioxide/oxygen swap.

It is believed that this scar tissue develops after repeated episodes of injury to the lungs through infections and exposure to harmful environmental sources. There is no known specific disease or condition that can be pinpointed as the main source because there are so many conditions that can affect how lungs function.

Those people who develop pulmonary fibrosis without an identifiable cause are said to have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Unfortunately for these patient, this type of fibrosis does not respond to medical therapy.

It is also know by other names: chronic interstitial pneumonitis, Hamman-Rich Syndrome, and diffuse fibrosing alveolitis.

According to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 5 million people worldwide suffer from this disease, with over 500,000 of those within the continental United States.

There is no known cure for pulmonary fibrosis and as we read above idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis does not respond to treatment. For those cases of nonidiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which do respond to treatment, such efforts are aimed at reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Since you are still able to engage in physical activity, consider that great and consider yourself hard working and successful at being able to maintain this.

Your 02 levels are still fairly low - they are lower than average and if under 90, you may need medical intervention.

But keep doing what you are doing and consider yourself doing well!

Susan