Idiopathic Versus Other Types of Pulmonary Fibrosis
It is estimated that there are around 200 forms of pulmonary fibrosis. Among these, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common type. It is different from other types as it has no clear cause. Based on the underlying triggers, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can be divided into 5 main types:
– Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis: caused by radiation treatment on the chest
– Drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis: caused by current or previous use of medications that affect the lungs like nitrofurantoin, amiodarone, or chemotherapy
– Occupational pulmonary fibrosis: caused by exposure to fumes or dust
– Autoimmune pulmonary fibrosis: caused by autoimmune conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis
– Environmental pulmonary fibrosis: caused by exposure to environmental irritants [5]
