Worcestershire nurses take action over dangerous lung condition - The Evesham Observer

Worcestershire nurses take action over dangerous lung condition

Evesham Editorial 22nd Sep, 2017 Updated: 22nd Sep, 2017   0

NURSING staff at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have been raising awareness about lung disease and in particular idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

This incurable disease affects about 8,700 new people in the UK, each year and in Worcestershire, medics are building a detailed record of local patients living with IPF so they can improve diagnosis, treatment and life expectancy in the county.

The nursing team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital have been raising awareness of this disease to help encourage patients, public and staff to check for symptoms, seek a diagnosis and start treatment.

Respiratory Nurse Nancy Howard, said: “We treat and support patients in Worcestershire living with this disease and see the devastating effects it has on them, their friends and family.”




Diagnosis is difficult. People usually present with progressive breathlessness especially during physical activity, and with a persistent cough.

A doctor needs to do several different tests before referring patients on to a respiratory consultant for more detailed investigations.


This service is available at county hospitals, including the Alexandra as part of outpatient services.

Treatment aims to slow the scaring and manage the symptoms so the person feels better and has an improved quality of life.

The actual cause of IPF is unknown but researchers believe the body creates fibrosis (scaring) in response to damage in the lung.

This might be from:

· Acid reflux in the stomach

· Viruses – in some studies IPF has been linked to certain viruses such as Epstein Barr, glandular fever, herpes and hepatitis C as possible causes.

· Environmental factors such as breathing in kinds of dusts – it’s more common if you’ve been exposed to dust from wood, metal, textiles or stone or from cattle or farming.

For more information on Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis awareness, please visit their website: www.actionpulmonaryfibrosis.org or follow the charity on twitter @ActionPFcharity using the hashtag #IPFweek

If you have any concerns about persistent unexplained breathlessness and cough, please arrange an appointment to visit your GP.

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