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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffBeing actively involved in your own treatment and staying as healthy as possible are essential to living with pulmonary fibrosis. For that reason, it's important to:
- Stop smoking. If you have lung disease, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about options for quitting, including smoking-cessation programs, which use a variety of proven techniques to help people quit. And because secondhand smoke can be just as harmful to your lungs, don't allow other people to smoke around you.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise is a double-edged sword for people with lung disease. It can make you more short of breath temporarily, yet it helps maintain lung function, reduces stress and improves overall health and well-being. If you're already exercising, don't stop. And if you're not currently physically active, talk to your doctor about an exercise program that might be best for you.
- Eat well. People with lung disease may lose weight both because it's uncomfortable to eat and because of the extra energy it takes to breathe. Yet a nutritionally rich diet that contains adequate calories is essential. A dietitian can give you further guidelines for healthy eating.
- Get plenty of rest. Getting at least eight hours of good-quality rest every night can boost your immune system and sense of well-being.
- Control GERD. If you've been diagnosed with GERD, it's essential to keep it under control. You can help reduce acid reflux by waiting at least three to four hours after eating before lying down, eating smaller meals, avoiding any foods that trigger your symptoms and maintaining a healthy weight.
References
- Garantziotis S, et al. Serum inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and matrix hyaluronan promote angiogenesis in fibrotic lung injury. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2008;178:939.
- Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=4294229&ct=3052333. Accessed Jan. 13, 2008.
- King TE. Clinical advances in the diagnosis and therapy of the interstitial lung diseases. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2005;172:26.
- What are the signs and symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ipf/ipf_signsandsymptoms.html. Accessed Jan. 13, 2009.
- How is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ipf/ipf_treatments.html, Accessed Jan, 13, 2009.
- McKay S, et al. Patient information handbook. Chicago, Ill.: American Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation; 2004. http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/patient.pdf. Accessed Jan 13, 2009.
- What causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ipf/ipf_causes.html. Accessed Jan. 14, 2009.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Diagnosis and treatment: International consensus statement. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2000;161:646.
