Pulmonary Fibrosis Basics (/)

Pulmonary fibrosis involves progressive scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue, making the lungs stiff and difficult to expand. Normal, elastic alveolar tissue is replaced by thick collagen deposits that impair gas exchange. Patients experience worsening dyspnea because the lungs cannot expand fully (restrictive disease) and oxygen cannot efficiently diffuse across thickened alveolar walls. The disease is progressive and irreversible.